Consumer price inflation rose to 3.5 per cent in September, its highest rate in almost a year, driven by a surge in fuel costs. Economists warn the rate could climb further, adding pressure on the Bank of England and complicating the Chancellor’s Budget preparations.
Fuel costs. Of course. The universal alibi. Forgive my scepticism — 3.5 per cent doesn’t come from a few pence at the pump. Where’s the core inflation figure? The services breakdown? Wage data? Without those, this is a headline with a number stapled to it. Economists “warn” — how convenient. Show the working or stop pretending it’s news.