Europe · Business news · Economy · 16 Sept 2026
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The ONS reported on 16 September that the Consumer Prices Index rose 3.1% in the 12 months to August 2026, up from 2.9% in July, and 0.5% on the month against 0.3% a year earlier. Transport, particularly motor fuels, made the largest upward contribution to the change in the annual rate. Core CPI, which excludes energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, was unchanged at 2.6%. The goods rate rose from 2.2% to 2.7% while services inflation held at 3.4%. CPIH, which includes owner occupiers' housing costs, rose to 3.3% from 3.1%.
The release came the day before the Bank of England's September decision, where three members again voted to tighten. Higher headline inflation with flat core and services readings points to fuel as the source: that is a cost for hauliers, airlines and retailers with large delivery fleets, and a squeeze on household budgets that supermarkets and discretionary retailers sell into. For banks, housebuilders and property companies the link is through interest-rate pricing. Index-linked revenue at regulated utilities and some landlords also tracks these readings.
Reported by Office for National Statistics — “Consumer price inflation, UK: August 2026” ↗ on 16 Sept 2026.
Official series on 16 Sept 2026 or the last day before it, and the latest observation.
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