British September inflation soars to 5.2%
2011-10-18 16:42:18
British inflation surged to 5.2 percent in September from a year earlier on soaring energy prices, matching its record high level of three years ago, official data showed on Tuesday.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the annual Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation soared from a level of 4.5 percent in August.
Analysts had forecast a jump to 4.9 percent, according to a poll by Dow Jones Newswires.
"CPI annual inflation has never been higher (than the latest level) but was also 5.2 percent in September 2008," the ONS said in a statement.
"By far the largest upward pressure to the change in CPI annual inflation between August and September came from increases in gas and electricity charges.
"There were also large upward pressures from air transport and communication services," it added.
On a month-on-month basis, Consumer Prices Index inflation jumped by 0.6 percent in September from August, the ONS said. That was also higher than analyst expectations of a 0.4-percent increase.