ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said:
“After last month’s slowdown, annual inflation was unchanged. The largest upwards driver was the price of clothing, which rose this month but fell a year ago.
“This was offset by falls in petrol costs, with prices collected before the start of the conflict in the Middle East and subsequent rise in crude oil prices. A fall in the cost of alcoholic drinks due to promotional activity, compared with a rise last year, was also a downward driver, while little change in food prices, again compared with a small rise this time last year, added further downward pressure.”
Core inflation actually rose to 3.2%. And that’s before the Iran war started…
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”