UK inflation dips slightly to 3.1% in September

Relief likely to be temporary as energy and food prices rise

The rate of inflation crept down slightly to an annual rate of 3.1% in September as a drop in the price of eating out offset some of a surge in transportation costs, according to official figures.

Consumer prices rose 3.1% in annual terms in September, easing back from 3.2% in August, the Office for National Statistics said. Inflation rate fell back slightly last month because higher prices in restaurants and cafes in August were largely down to comparisons with August of 2020, when the Eat Out to Help Out scheme was running, according to the ONS. Mike Hardie, head of prices at the ONS, said: "However, this was partially offset by most other categories, including price rises for furniture and household goods and food prices falling more slowly than this time last year. "The ...