Annual inflation in UK at 3.8%, lower than forecasts

Annual inflation in UK at 3.8%, lower than forecasts

Highest price increases seen in housing and household services with 7.3%, education with 7.2%, and alcohol and tobacco with 5.8%

The annual inflation rate in the UK was at 3.8% in September, unchanged from August but lower than the market expectation of 4%.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showed on Wednesday that the highest price increases were seen in housing and household services with 7.3%, education with 7.2%, and alcohol and tobacco with 5.8%.

Furniture and household goods posted the lowest rates at 0.4%, followed by clothing and footwear at 0.5% and miscellaneous goods and services at 2%.

On a monthly basis, the inflation rate was at zero percent; consumer prices posted no change.

Transport contributed the most to the monthly change in CPI, decreasing by 2.3% month-on-month in September.