The UK’s annual core inflation rate stood at 3.2% in February 2026, compared with market estimates and January's reading of 3.1%. Core services inflation eased slightly (4.3% vs 4.4% in January) while goods inflation held steady (at 1.6%). On a monthly basis, core consumer prices increased 0.6%, exceeding forecasts of 0.5% and reversing a 0.6% decline in January.