14/10/2008

UK Inflation Rises To 5.2%

UK inflation has hit a new record of 5.2%, as a result of price hikes from energy firms, it has been announced.

Official figures show the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) - the Bank of England's official inflation benchmark - has reached a new record of 5.2% in September. The figures - released by the Office for National Statistics - are the highest since 1997 and a 16-year historical inflation peak.

In August consumer price inflation was 4.7%, up from 4.4% the previous month.

Increased food and energy prices have been blamed for bringing inflation beyond the government's 2% target.

The bank predicts inflation will remain above the 2% target set by the government, well into next year.

The government also faces handing out billions of pounds more in pensions and benefits, as the headline Retail Prices Index (RPI) reached 5%. The last time the RPI reached the same level as last month was in July 1991. It is commonly used to calculate pension increases for the coming year, and pensions usually increase by 2.5% or headline RPI, whichever is higher.

Last week the Bank of England cut interest rates from 5% to 4.5% in a co-ordinated worldwide move, saying the risks of inflation had shifted "decisively" to the downside.

Howard Archer, Chief UK and European Economist with Global Insight, said: "Prolonged very weak economic activity, faster rising unemployment and extended tight credit conditions will increasingly dilute underlying inflationary pressures.

"The recent marked retreat in oil and commodity prices will obviously help matters, along with favourable base effects. This should substantially outweigh the inflationary impact of the weaker pound."

(JM)

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