The Dutch official rate of inflation fell 0.2 percentage point to 6.2% in February, national statistics office CBS said on Thursday.

The shift was largely due to changing energy prices, which were down slightly in February month on month, the agency said. In January energy prices were up 88% on a year ago, in February 77%.

Furniture and food were also more expensive as the impact of higher energy prices filters through into industry, the CBS said.

The Dutch inflation figure includes rental housing developments, unlike the harmonised EU inflation calculations. Calculated according to EU methods, inflation in the Netherlands is 7.3%, the CBS said.

The government said on Wednesday that it would take action to restore spending power for the lowest incomes because of the high inflation rate. Details are still being worked out.