UK inflation surged to a 10-year high last month, fuelled by a jump in household energy bills and petrol prices, official data show.
Annual UK consumer prices index inflation surged to 4.2% in October, from 3.1% in September, and is now more than double the target set for the Bank of England by the Treasury.
While a sharp rise in inflation had been expected, with economists in a poll by Reuters having projected an October reading of 3.9%, the jump was even greater than expected and fuelled expectations of a rise in UK base rates from a record low of 0.1% next month.
Colin Dyer, client director at financial services group abrdn, said: “Rising fuel and energy prices, paired with global supply chain disruptions, caused inflation to soar last month after a temporary respite in September.
“The cost of living has been increasing rapidly for much of 2021 because of the strong economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, but October’s inflationary rate is the highest we’ve seen in over a decade. And with the Bank of England now warning of it exceeding 5% early next year, it’s likely to remain an uncertain and uncomfortable period for many.”
He added: “For those trying to save, rumours of a rate rise on the horizon might seem positive, but this is unlikely to be substantial enough to show any real returns.”
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