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| Inflation steady despite food price rises | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The UK's key inflation rate remained steady at a five-and-a-half-year high of 3% in October, according to official figures. | The UK's key inflation rate remained steady at a five-and-a-half-year high of 3% in October, according to official figures. |
| Falls in fuel prices were offset by higher food costs, particularly the price of potato crisps, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. | Falls in fuel prices were offset by higher food costs, particularly the price of potato crisps, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. |
| The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) had been expected to rise, with the Bank of England forecasting it would peak at 3.2% this autumn. | The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) had been expected to rise, with the Bank of England forecasting it would peak at 3.2% this autumn. |
| The official target for the CPI is 2%. | The official target for the CPI is 2%. |
| If the CPI inflation rate had risen above 3%, Bank of England governor Mark Carney would have been forced to write to the chancellor explaining why it was so far above target. | If the CPI inflation rate had risen above 3%, Bank of England governor Mark Carney would have been forced to write to the chancellor explaining why it was so far above target. |
| Maike Currie at Fidelity International said Mr Carney could "breathe a sigh of relief this month". | Maike Currie at Fidelity International said Mr Carney could "breathe a sigh of relief this month". |
| However, she added: "While the Bank of England raised interest rates at the beginning of this month given concerns over inflation, it will take some time for inflation to fall back nearer the 2% target. | However, she added: "While the Bank of England raised interest rates at the beginning of this month given concerns over inflation, it will take some time for inflation to fall back nearer the 2% target. |
| "This means cash-strapped consumers will continue to feel the pinch as wages lag price rises. Homeowners on variable rate mortgages in particular will be feeling the biggest squeeze having to contend with the prices of everyday goods and services going up, and dealing with rising mortgage repayments." | "This means cash-strapped consumers will continue to feel the pinch as wages lag price rises. Homeowners on variable rate mortgages in particular will be feeling the biggest squeeze having to contend with the prices of everyday goods and services going up, and dealing with rising mortgage repayments." |
| The ONS said the inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic drinks was 4.1% last month, its highest since September 2013. | The ONS said the inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic drinks was 4.1% last month, its highest since September 2013. |
| However, this was offset by the falling cost of motor fuel and lower furniture prices. | However, this was offset by the falling cost of motor fuel and lower furniture prices. |
| The fall in the value of the pound since last year's Brexit referendum has contributed to the recent rise in inflation, as it has increased the cost of imported goods and services. | The fall in the value of the pound since last year's Brexit referendum has contributed to the recent rise in inflation, as it has increased the cost of imported goods and services. |
| However, Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit, said the latest inflation figures "will add to the sense that the worst of this impact has already passed". | However, Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit, said the latest inflation figures "will add to the sense that the worst of this impact has already passed". |
| "Data on company costs, which tend to change ahead of changes in consumer prices, are already shown signs of having peaked earlier in the year," he added. | "Data on company costs, which tend to change ahead of changes in consumer prices, are already shown signs of having peaked earlier in the year," he added. |
| Earlier this month, Sainsbury's chief executive Mike Coupe said the UK was "probably through the worst" of food price rises following the slide in the pound. | Earlier this month, Sainsbury's chief executive Mike Coupe said the UK was "probably through the worst" of food price rises following the slide in the pound. |
| October's Retail Prices Index (RPI), a separate measure of inflation, was 4%, up from 3.9% in September. | October's Retail Prices Index (RPI), a separate measure of inflation, was 4%, up from 3.9% in September. |