While price growth has not accelerated, inflation remains nearly double the central bank’s 2% target and far above levels in the US and eurozone. The figures will do little to ease pressure on chancellor Rachel Reeves as she prepares her first autumn budget, scheduled for November 26. Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, also dipped, to 3.6% from 3.8%. Food inflation, however, continued to climb, with grocery prices up 5.1% year-on-year, the fastest pace in 18 months. “Since April, the rise in inflation has been driven largely by domestic policy choices, including the increase in employers’ National Insurance Contributions.