British inflation surged to 5.2% in September from a year earlier on soaring energy prices, matching its record high level of three years ago, official data showed today.
The Office for National Statistics said annual consumer prices index (CPI) inflation soared from a level of 4.5% in August. Analysts had forecast a jump to 4.9%.
"CPI annual inflation has never been higher (than the latest level) but was also 5.2% 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.
The ONS also said that consumer prices index inflation jumped by 0.6% in September from August on a month-on-month basis, the ONS said. That was also higher than analyst expectations of a 0.4% increase.
