UK consumer price inflation rises to 3.5 per cent, says the Office for National Statistics

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UK consumer price inflation rises to 3.5 per cent, says the Office for National Statistics

21 October 2026

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said consumer prices in the United Kingdom rose 3.5 per cent in the 12 months to September 2026, up from 3.1 per cent in August. The release came out on 21 October 2026. Prices rose 0.4 per cent over the month alone. CPIH, the wider measure that also counts owner occupiers' housing costs, rose 3.6 per cent over the year, against 3.3 per cent in August. Core CPI, which leaves out energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, rose 2.8 per cent. Transport, and motor fuels in particular, made the largest upward contribution; motor fuel prices were 29.8 per cent higher than a year before. Restaurants and hotels pulled the rate down a little. Transport alone added 0.94 percentage points to the annual CPI rate.

CPI annual rate: 3.5 per cent CPIH annual rate: 3.6 per cent Core CPI: 2.8 per cent Motor fuel prices: 29.8 per cent higher over the year

Why it matters for exams: The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes the UK Consumer Prices Index; the annual CPI rate for September 2026 was 3.5 per cent, with core CPI at 2.8 per cent.

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21 October 2026 Source: Office for National Statistics

In plain words

ONS Office for National Statistics — The United Kingdom's national statistical institute.

CPI Consumer Prices Index — The main UK measure of how fast prices paid by households are rising.

CPIH Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs — CPI plus the housing costs of people who own the home they live in.