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Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
UK inflation higher than forecast in May amid rising food prices
UK inflation was higher than expected in May as rising food prices offset a drop in air fares and transport costs, new official figures show. The rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell to 3.4% in May from 3.5% in April, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. However, the ONS said that an error in vehicle tax data collected meant April's CPI rate should have been 3.4% – but that it was not revising the official figure. Most economists were expecting the CPI rate to come in at 3.3% for May as price rises cooled following a raft of bill increases the previous month, that pushed inflation to the highest level in more than a year. The ONS said that food and non-alcoholic drink prices rose by 4.4% in the year to May – the highest level in more than a year. Cupboard items like sugar, jam and chocolate as well as ice cream saw the biggest monthly price hikes, while meat costs also rose. Commenting on today's inflation figures for May 2025, ONS Acting Chief Economist Richard Heys said: (quote 1 of 2) — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) June 18, 2025 Furthermore, the latest dataset shows that the inflation rate across furniture and homeware was the highest rate over the year to May than since the end of 2023, particularly fridge freezers and vacuum cleaners. On the other hand, air fares fell by 5% between April and May, following the Easter holidays when ticket prices were likely to have been hiked. Average petrol and diesel prices also dropped, while rail and coach travel costs were also pulling down on the overall rate of inflation last month. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said there was 'more to do' to bring down inflation and help with the cost of living. She said: 'We took the necessary choices to stabilise the public finances and get inflation under control after the double-digit increases we saw under the previous government, but we know there's more to do.' Richard Heys went on to say: (quote 2 of 2) — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) June 18, 2025 Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: 'This morning's news that inflation remains well above the 2% target is deeply worrying for families.' Experts cautioned that inflation is expected to remain elevated over the rest of 2025, and flagged concerns over the impact of global conflict on energy prices. Monica George Michail, associate economist for the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) said the institute was forecasting inflation to remain above 3% for the rest of the year amid 'persistent wage growth and the inflationary effects from higher Government spending'. 'Additionally, the current tensions in the Middle East are causing greater economic uncertainty,' she said. This morning's news that inflation remains well above the 2 per cent target is deeply worrying for families. Labour's choices to tax jobs and ramp up borrowing are killing growth and stoking inflation – making everyday essentials more expensive. — Mel Stride (@MelJStride) June 18, 2025 NEISR, like most other economists, are expecting the Bank of England to keep interest rates unchanged when it next announces policy on Thursday. Rob Wood, chief UK economist for Pantheon Macroeconomics, said May's data reflected a 'sharp unwinding of Easter holiday-boosted airfares balanced by a rebound from heavy clothes and furniture discounting'. He said he was expecting inflation to 'bounce around these rates for the rest of the year' and to peak at 3.6% in September when energy prices spike – but that rising oil prices following escalating conflict in the Middle East could push UK inflation higher. Suren Thiru, economics director at the Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales (ICAEW), said: 'May's dismally modest drop is unlikely to quell concerns over inflation, as it owed more to the unwinding of distortions caused by Easter falling in April this year, particularly on services prices, than a telling reduction in cost pressures. 'An interest rate cut on Thursday looks implausible as rate setters will probably want to hold off until August to get a better understanding of the impact of this global uncertainty before taking the plunge once again.' Elsewhere, the ONS's data showed the ONS's preferred measure of inflation, Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing (CPIH), fell to 4% in May from 4.1% in April. Meanwhile, the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rate of inflation fell to 4.3% from 4.5%. However, the ONS said April's RPI figure was also 0.1 percentage points too high, and should have been 4.4%. This happened because of an error that meant the effect of vehicle tax hikes in April was overstated in the data collected for the month.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UK inflation higher than forecast in May amid rising food prices
UK inflation was higher than expected in May as rising food prices offset a drop in air fares and transport costs, new official figures show. The rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell to 3.4% in May from 3.5% in April, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. However, the ONS said that an error in vehicle tax data collected meant April's CPI rate should have been 3.4% – but that it was not revising the official figure. Most economists were expecting the CPI rate to come in at 3.3% for May as price rises cooled following a raft of bill increases the previous month, that pushed inflation to the highest level in more than a year. The ONS said that food and non-alcoholic drink prices rose by 4.4% in the year to May – the highest level in more than a year. Cupboard items like sugar, jam and chocolate as well as ice cream saw the biggest monthly price hikes, while meat costs also rose. Commenting on today's inflation figures for May 2025, ONS Acting Chief Economist Richard Heys said: (quote 1 of 2) — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) June 18, 2025 Furthermore, the latest dataset shows that the inflation rate across furniture and homeware was the highest rate over the year to May than since the end of 2023, particularly fridge freezers and vacuum cleaners. On the other hand, air fares fell by 5% between April and May, following the Easter holidays when ticket prices were likely to have been hiked. Average petrol and diesel prices also dropped, while rail and coach travel costs were also pulling down on the overall rate of inflation last month. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said there was 'more to do' to bring down inflation and help with the cost of living. She said: 'We took the necessary choices to stabilise the public finances and get inflation under control after the double-digit increases we saw under the previous government, but we know there's more to do.' Richard Heys went on to say: (quote 2 of 2) — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) June 18, 2025 Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: 'This morning's news that inflation remains well above the 2% target is deeply worrying for families.' Experts cautioned that inflation is expected to remain elevated over the rest of 2025, and flagged concerns over the impact of global conflict on energy prices. Monica George Michail, associate economist for the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) said the institute was forecasting inflation to remain above 3% for the rest of the year amid 'persistent wage growth and the inflationary effects from higher Government spending'. 'Additionally, the current tensions in the Middle East are causing greater economic uncertainty,' she said. This morning's news that inflation remains well above the 2 per cent target is deeply worrying for families. Labour's choices to tax jobs and ramp up borrowing are killing growth and stoking inflation – making everyday essentials more expensive. — Mel Stride (@MelJStride) June 18, 2025 NEISR, like most other economists, are expecting the Bank of England to keep interest rates unchanged when it next announces policy on Thursday. Rob Wood, chief UK economist for Pantheon Macroeconomics, said May's data reflected a 'sharp unwinding of Easter holiday-boosted airfares balanced by a rebound from heavy clothes and furniture discounting'. He said he was expecting inflation to 'bounce around these rates for the rest of the year' and to peak at 3.6% in September when energy prices spike – but that rising oil prices following escalating conflict in the Middle East could push UK inflation higher. Suren Thiru, economics director at the Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales (ICAEW), said: 'May's dismally modest drop is unlikely to quell concerns over inflation, as it owed more to the unwinding of distortions caused by Easter falling in April this year, particularly on services prices, than a telling reduction in cost pressures. 'An interest rate cut on Thursday looks implausible as rate setters will probably want to hold off until August to get a better understanding of the impact of this global uncertainty before taking the plunge once again.' Elsewhere, the ONS's data showed the ONS's preferred measure of inflation, Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing (CPIH), fell to 4% in May from 4.1% in April. Meanwhile, the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rate of inflation fell to 4.3% from 4.5%. However, the ONS said April's RPI figure was also 0.1 percentage points too high, and should have been 4.4%. This happened because of an error that meant the effect of vehicle tax hikes in April was overstated in the data collected for the month. The ONS said it would not be revising the official published figures, in line with its policy which only carries out revisions in exceptional circumstances.
South Wales Guardian
6 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
UK inflation higher than forecast in May amid rising food prices
The rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell to 3.4% in May from 3.5% in April, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. However, the ONS said that an error in vehicle tax data collected meant April's CPI rate should have been 3.4% – but that it was not revising the official figure. Most economists were expecting the CPI rate to come in at 3.3% for May as price rises cooled following a raft of bill increases the previous month, that pushed inflation to the highest level in more than a year. The ONS said that food and non-alcoholic drink prices rose by 4.4% in the year to May – the highest level in more than a year. Cupboard items like sugar, jam and chocolate as well as ice cream saw the biggest monthly price hikes, while meat costs also rose. Commenting on today's inflation figures for May 2025, ONS Acting Chief Economist Richard Heys said: (quote 1 of 2) — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) June 18, 2025 Furthermore, the latest dataset shows that the inflation rate across furniture and homeware was the highest rate over the year to May than since the end of 2023, particularly fridge freezers and vacuum cleaners. On the other hand, air fares fell by 5% between April and May, following the Easter holidays when ticket prices were likely to have been hiked. Average petrol and diesel prices also dropped, while rail and coach travel costs were also pulling down on the overall rate of inflation last month. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said there was 'more to do' to bring down inflation and help with the cost of living. She said: 'We took the necessary choices to stabilise the public finances and get inflation under control after the double-digit increases we saw under the previous government, but we know there's more to do.' Richard Heys went on to say: (quote 2 of 2) — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) June 18, 2025 Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: 'This morning's news that inflation remains well above the 2% target is deeply worrying for families.' Experts cautioned that inflation is expected to remain elevated over the rest of 2025, and flagged concerns over the impact of global conflict on energy prices. Monica George Michail, associate economist for the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) said the institute was forecasting inflation to remain above 3% for the rest of the year amid 'persistent wage growth and the inflationary effects from higher Government spending'. 'Additionally, the current tensions in the Middle East are causing greater economic uncertainty,' she said. This morning's news that inflation remains well above the 2 per cent target is deeply worrying for families. Labour's choices to tax jobs and ramp up borrowing are killing growth and stoking inflation – making everyday essentials more expensive. — Mel Stride (@MelJStride) June 18, 2025 NEISR, like most other economists, are expecting the Bank of England to keep interest rates unchanged when it next announces policy on Thursday. Rob Wood, chief UK economist for Pantheon Macroeconomics, said May's data reflected a 'sharp unwinding of Easter holiday-boosted airfares balanced by a rebound from heavy clothes and furniture discounting'. He said he was expecting inflation to 'bounce around these rates for the rest of the year' and to peak at 3.6% in September when energy prices spike – but that rising oil prices following escalating conflict in the Middle East could push UK inflation higher. Suren Thiru, economics director at the Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales (ICAEW), said: 'May's dismally modest drop is unlikely to quell concerns over inflation, as it owed more to the unwinding of distortions caused by Easter falling in April this year, particularly on services prices, than a telling reduction in cost pressures. 'An interest rate cut on Thursday looks implausible as rate setters will probably want to hold off until August to get a better understanding of the impact of this global uncertainty before taking the plunge once again.' Elsewhere, the ONS's data showed the ONS's preferred measure of inflation, Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing (CPIH), fell to 4% in May from 4.1% in April. Meanwhile, the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rate of inflation fell to 4.3% from 4.5%. However, the ONS said April's RPI figure was also 0.1 percentage points too high, and should have been 4.4%. This happened because of an error that meant the effect of vehicle tax hikes in April was overstated in the data collected for the month. The ONS said it would not be revising the official published figures, in line with its policy which only carries out revisions in exceptional circumstances.
Business Recorder
6 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
UK inflation dips less than expected in May
LONDON: British inflation eased less than expected in May after surging in April, official data showed Wednesday, fuelling expectations that the Bank of England will hold interest rates steady this week. The Consumer Prices Index dipped to 3.4 percent last month compared with a rate of 3.5 percent in April, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement. Analysts consensus forcecast had been for a drop to 3.3 percent. The Bank of England (BoE) was widely expected to keep its key interest rate at 4.25 percent in a decision due Thursday after annual inflation hit a 15-month high in April on soaring utility bills. UK inflation stable as central bank rate call looms 'A variety of counteracting price movements meant inflation was little changed in May,' noted Richard Heys, acting chief economist at the ONS. 'Air fares fell this month, compared with a large rise at the same time last year,' he said, adding that rising chocolate and meat prices helped to offset falling motor fuel costs. Responding to the latest data, finance minister Rachel Reeves said the Labour government's 'number one mission is to put more money in the pockets of working people'.
Rhyl Journal
6 hours ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
UK inflation higher than forecast in May amid rising food prices
The rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell to 3.4% in May from 3.5% in April, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. However, the ONS said that an error in vehicle tax data collected meant April's CPI rate should have been 3.4% – but that it was not revising the official figure. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 3.4% in the 12 months to May 2025, compared with 3.5% in the 12 months to April. Read the full article ➡️ — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) June 18, 2025 Most economists were expecting the CPI rate to come in at 3.3% for May as price rises cooled following a raft of bill increases the previous month, that pushed inflation to the highest level in more than a year. The ONS said that food and non-alcoholic drink prices rose by 4.4% in the year to May – the highest level in more than a year. Cupboard items like sugar, jam and chocolate as well as ice cream saw the biggest monthly price hikes, while meat costs also rose. Furthermore, the latest dataset shows that the inflation rate across furniture and homeware was the highest rate over the year to May than since the end of 2023. Commenting on today's inflation figures for May 2025, ONS Acting Chief Economist Richard Heys said: (quote 1 of 2) — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) June 18, 2025 On the other hand, air fares fell by 5% between April and May, following the Easter holidays when ticket prices were likely to have been hiked. Average petrol and diesel prices also dropped, while rail and coach travel costs were also pulling down on the overall rate of inflation last month. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said there was 'more to do' to bring down inflation and help with the cost of living. She said: 'We took the necessary choices to stabilise the public finances and get inflation under control after the double-digit increases we saw under the previous government, but we know there's more to do.' Richard Heys went on to say: (quote 2 of 2) — Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) June 18, 2025 Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: 'This morning's news that inflation remains well above the 2% target is deeply worrying for families.' ONS acting chief economist Richard Heys said: 'A variety of counteracting price movements meant inflation was little changed in May. 'Air fares fell this month, compared with a large rise at the same time last year, as the timing of Easter and school holidays affected pricing. Meanwhile, motor fuel costs also saw a drop. 'These were partially offset by rising food prices, particularly items such as chocolates and meat products. The cost of furniture and household goods, including fridge freezers and vacuum cleaners, also increased.'
