Inflation unexpectedly remains at 3.8% as food prices ease

['Pa Media', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] STV News 2025-10-22 07:30:10

Inflation unexpectedly remained steady last month as upward pressure from petrol prices was offset by easing food costs, according to official figures. The rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) was 3.8% in September, remaining at the same level as both July and August, the Office for National Statistics said. The Bank of England had previously predicted that UK inflation would peak around September before steadily falling back down. Office for National Statistics (ONS) chief economist Grant Fitzner said: “A variety of price movements meant inflation was unchanged overall in September. “The largest upward drivers came from petrol prices and airfares, where the fall in prices eased in comparison to last year.