Official figures show that the UK's inflation rate fell back slightly last month from September's three-year high of 5.2%.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of inflation fell to 5% in October, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. This was still more than double the British government's 2% target.
Heavy discounting by the UK's biggest supermarkets, which have been engaged in an aggressive price war, saw the biggest fall in food prices for a September to October period since 1996, the ONS said.
But another utility tariff hike from big six supplier Npower continued to pile pressure on UK consumers, who are struggling to cope with average wage growth far below the rate of inflation.
Gas and electricity bills applied the most significant upward pressure on the overall rate of inflation in October, rising 1.4% and 1.5% respectively. Food prices had the most significant downward impact to the change in CPI between September and October as they fell 0.9%.
Elsewhere, a 6% fall in air fares and a slight 0.4% dip in petrol pump prices brought the overall CPI rate down.
The Bank of England will not be surprised by the high rate, as it previously forecast inflation to surpass 5% before it comes down rapidly over the next year.
The bank is expected to slash its forecasts for growth and inflation in its quarterly inflation report tomorrow, as a raft of key indicators all point towards the UK economy heading into reverse.
