UK CPI annual rate
UK CPI annual rate stood at 3.1% in Aug 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Consumer price inflation table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1989 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Consumer price inflation table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Prices Index (CPI) | |||||||||||
| CPI annual rate | 3.1 | 2.9 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 3 | 3 | 3.4 | 3.2 | |
| CPI index (2015=100) | 143.6 | 142.9 | 142.5 | 142.4 | 142.1 | 141 | 140.1 | 139.5 | 140.1 | 139.5 |
Understanding UK CPI annual rate
The annual percentage change in the Consumer Prices Index measures inflation across the United Kingdom by comparing the total cost of a representative basket of goods and services against the exact same month twelve months previously. Unlike the index level, this twelve-month rate strips out base levels to show the speed at which household purchasing power erodes, forming the primary benchmark used for monetary policy and macroeconomic targeting.
Analysts should rely primarily on this annual comparison rather than short-term sequential movements to avoid seasonal distortion, particularly from clothing sales and holiday packages. Revisions to early estimates rarely occur unless methodological frameworks or product weightings are updated during annual basket reviews, meaning figures published in the initial release are typically final. When comparing this metric with sibling measures, remember that owner occupiers' housing costs are entirely excluded from this calculation.
Frequently asked questions
- What exact period does this annual rate cover?
- It calculates the percentage change between the current month and the corresponding month of the previous year across the United Kingdom.
- Why is this rate preferred over monthly changes for macroeconomic analysis?
- The annual rate removes seasonal volatility and recurring calendar effects that frequently obscure underlying price pressures in single-month comparisons.
- Does this series include mortgage interest payments?
- No, mortgage interest payments and owner occupiers' housing costs are intentionally excluded from the standard Consumer Prices Index.