MNI BRIEF: UK Inflation Picks Up Pace As Energy Costs Rise
MNI (LONDON) - UK CPI rose by 2.3% in the year to October, up from 1.7% in September, the Office for National Statistics said Wednesday, outpacing consesnus estimates for a pick-up in prices.
Higher inflation had been expected by financial markets, although the rise was at the upper end of forecasts. It was above the Bank of England's own expectation of a pick-up to 2.2% this month. On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 0.6% in October 2024, with this month's reading hit by an increase in both electricity and gas prices after a decline in the same period a year ago. (see MNI BOE WATCH: Cuts 25BP, Sees Slow Return To Inflation Target )
Core CPI rose by 3.3%, up from 3.2% in September. The CPI goods annual rate rose from -1.4% to -0.3%, while the CPI services annual rate rose from 4.9% to 5.0%.
“Inflation rose this month as the increase in the energy price cap meant higher costs for gas and electricity compared with a fall at the same time last year. These were partially offset by falls in recreation and culture, including live music and theatre ticket prices, ONS Chief Economist Grant Fitzner said. (see MNI POLICY: Budget To Push Up BOE Growth, Inflation Forecasts )