Inflation in October holds steady at 3%, ONS reveals

The rate of UK inflation remained steady at a five-and-a-half-year high of 3% in October, official figures reveal.

A fall in fuel prices was offset by higher food costs, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Prices rose fastest in the butter, fish and cola market, falling in only a few categories such as crisps and fresh poultry.

The ONS said the inflation rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages was 4.1% in October, the highest rate since September 2013. 

ONS Inflation statistician, James Tucker, said: ”Rising prices for food and, to a lesser extent, recreational goods provided the largest upward contributions to change in the rate between September 2017 and October 2017.

”The upward contributions were offset by falling motor fuel and furniture prices, along with owner occupiers’ housing costs, which remained unchanged between September 2017 and October 2017, having risen a year ago.”