Inflation stays steady at 2.4% as price of cheese and clothes dips

Inflation stays steady at 2.4% as the price of cheese and clothes dips slightly but Brits face rising electricity and gas costs

  • CPI inflation held steady at 2.4% – defying predictions by experts it would rise 
  • Britons are benefiting by the dip on the cost of clothes, food and soft drinks 
  • Families are having to pay more for transport, gas and electricity, figures show 

Hard-pressed families received a boost today as new figures reveal that inflation has stayed flat at 2.4 per cent – defying predictions it would rise. 

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the country has benefited from a dip in the price of clothes and certain foods, especially cheese and yoghurt.

But they face major increases in the cost of electricity and gas, which have soared by 9 per cent and 7.6 per cent respectively over the past 12 months.

The ONS said that the consumer price index (CPI) – the standard rate of inflation – was 2.4 per cent in the year ending in October this year. This is unchanged from September.

Hard-pressed families received a boost today as new figures reveal that inflation has stayed flat at 2.4 per cent – defying predictions it would rise (pictured)


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Experts had predicted a slight increase in the rate to 2.5 per cent. 

The ONS’ head of inflation Michael Hardie said: ‘Prices paid by consumers continued to rise at a steady rate with falls in food and clothing offset by rising utility bills and petrol, as crude prices continued to rise.

‘House price growth ticked up a little as increases in Wales, Scotland and the midlands were to some extent offset by falls in central London.’

The figures show that there was a fall in the cost of food and drink, which dipped by 0.1 per cent between September and October. 

The ONS said this was mainly driven by a fall in the cost of yoghurts and cheese, and soft drinks.

And the cost of clothes also fell, particularly among menswear and shoes, which fell by 1.3 per cent in the past month. 

Theresa May (pictured in Downing Street on Monday) announced last month that she will freeze fuel duty for the ninth year in a row to help ease the cost of living for hard working Britons

But while food and clothes bills have been cut, Britons face having to cough up far more to heat their homes and travel.

Transport costs soared by 5.3 per cent over the year – driven mainly by the rising cost of petrol and diesel.

Theresa May announced last month that she will freeze fuel duty for the ninth year in a row to help ease the cost of living for hard working Britons. 

Households also faced higher prices for recreation and culture, which climbed 0.7 per cent on the month. 

The Consumer Prices Index including owner-occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH) – the ONS’ preferred measure of inflation – was 2.2 per cent in October, unchanged from September.

The Retail Prices Index (RPI), a separate measure of inflation, was 3.3 per cent last month, unchanged from September. 

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