Lies, damned lies, statistics...and government statistics! Brown continues his treasury habit of revealing half truths to hide hide his failings. The truth? Inflation is 5%+, mortgage rates 6%+ and total debt is starting to hurt. Brown's prudence is revealed as a run of good luck that just ran out.

Stephen Bell, Cambridge, UK

C'mon they are raking it in with food prices rising by a few per cent every month. Don't say that they are begging for another rate cut please, inflation is out of control already.

Paul, Coventry,

Can I suggest that they get their calculators checked. Perhaps they should stop using the ones with rose-tinted displays.

Kevin Herbert, Greater Manchester, UK

To what extent is dissatisfaction with the ONS' performance simply dissatisfaction with and mistrust of statistics in general? Is the layperson member of the public or media wag fit to comment...?

Ben P., Robertsbidge, UK

This country becomes more like a banana republic by the month.The baloney figures published by the ONS just goes to show the depth of the manipulation happening in all areas..including the phoney unemployment figures.
Its an absolute disgrace.

antony Graham, southport, England

Interesting isnt it how these retailers choose to ridicule unreliable ONS data yet have been quite happy to quote the ONS's even more fanciful "lower inflation" figures when it suits them (eg in calls for lower interest rates). The ONS has forfeited all public trust and needs a massive shake-up.

Peter Baker , fareham , UK

The ONS is a government department. When did anyone, ever, believe government figures about anything? No seriously, never mind the weary cynicism of Have Your Say smart-alecs like me, ask yourself seriously 'Do you believe anything the government (or indeed the opposition) say?' Worrying isn't it?

eric campbell, harrogate, uk

March was far worse than currently being reported. The previous March did not include Easter which traditionally provides a boost. If sales were so bad with an Easter boost then Aprils figures are going to be truly dreadful due to last April including Easter figures.

Paul Davis, York, uk

They're Government figures, your not supposed to believe them !!!!!!!!!

Peter Fordham, Pego, Spain

It is quite obvious that the ONS is the new, government sponsored 'independent' manufacturer of statistics.It will employ thousands but only a select few will have access to the data they produce-Healthy economy? Pubs are not closing? Crime is Down? Orwell called it "The Ministry Of Information" !!

winstonian, Darlington, UK

Government CPI/CPIX has been a lie for years.

True inflation has been running higher than official figures for years. Thus downward adjustments from nominal growth to real growth have been under-estimated.

Now that inflation is running so high it's just more difficult to get away with the lie

Derek, Cape Town, South Africa

I was in M&S yesterday and I have never seen it so busy! These people were not just browsing, purses were open and the cash tills were ringing.

I was surprised by this but I have come to the conclusion that a high proportion of the UK is addicted to shopping and will purchase at any cost.

Caroline, London,

Perpetuation of the myth. That's what the data has always been about, if others are spending, you spend! It's a bit like this "equivalent" inflation pricing; you eat steak, the price goes up to they compare the price of steak again the price of hamburgers! The numbers aren't designed to look bad.

Jim, London, UK

The low key comments made at the time of the previous release were " surprisingly strong sales at supermarkets boost retail sales".

Try and read into where sales were strong this time round.

Could it really be "surprisingly strong food and petrol inflation boost supermarkets".

harry e, London,

Either the government statistical office is incompetent or spin has now entered into government statistics. I suspect both are at play. Bottom line: trash future government figures and go to other sources.

Ron, Oxford,

Alot of older people were wise enough see a crash coming and took there money out of shares.

Even wiser peolpe took there money out of property.

before it got put else where, lots of wealthy and moderatly wealthy people splashed out a bit on a new mercedes, jaguar etc..

Now it is on deposit

Nicholas Iles, Oswestry, Shropshire

August to November was the first time people could move money out of funds without being penalised, with open market options ie being charged 5% to 15% to move your money out of funds, this was the first free movement since the dot com crash when all that money was lock away.

Spending Spree!

Nicholas Iles, Oswestry, Shropshire

More evidence that you can't trust this government!

Paul, Camberley,