UK inflation rose to 2.9% in July, up from a 15-month low of 2.6% in June, according to the Office for National Statistics. The increase, in line with economists’ forecasts, marked the first rise in the annual consumer prices index rate since March and was driven largely by higher gas and electricity prices linked to the war involving Iran.
Why did inflation rise in July?
The main driver was a jump in energy costs, with the ONS pointing to rising gas and electricity bills as the key factor behind the acceleration. Analysts have linked the increase in wholesale energy prices to disruption stemming from the conflict involving Iran, which has unsettled global energy markets and pushed up costs that are now filtering through to household bills across Britain.
What does this mean for households and the economy?
The renewed uptick reverses months of easing price pressures and adds fresh strain to family budgets already stretched by a prolonged cost of living crisis. Higher inflation also complicates the picture for policymakers weighing future interest rate decisions, as officials balance the need to support economic growth against the risk of allowing price pressures to become entrenched.
There is more to do to restore hope for families facing higher bills, the chancellor said.
The figures will be closely watched by the Bank of England as it assesses whether the jump in inflation is a temporary blip tied to energy markets or the start of a more sustained upward trend. For now, the data confirms that the fight against inflation in the UK is far from over, even after months of gradual improvement.
