Overall consumer prices rose 1% in July, a smaller increase than the 1.4% registered in June, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.

Netting out the effects of the Government's one-off relief measures, the underlying inflation rate was 1%, the same as that seen in June.

Compared with a year before, price increases were recorded in July in the following categories: housing; alcoholic drinks and tobacco; transport; meals out and takeaway food; miscellaneous services; electricity, gas and water; and miscellaneous goods.

Meanwhile, year-on-year decreases were logged in clothing and footwear; durable goods; and basic food.

The Government said consumer price inflation stayed modest in July, and that price pressures on major components were largely contained.

As pressures from domestic costs and external prices stay broadly in check, overall inflation should remain modest in the near term, it added.