The UK's annual core inflation rate rose to 2.8% in September 2026 from 2.6% in each of the previous four months, marking its highest level since March and slightly exceeding market expectations of 2.7%. The acceleration reflected faster price growth in both goods (3.2% vs 2.7% in August) and services (3.7% vs 3.4%). On a monthly basis, core consumer prices increased by 0.2%, easing from a 0.3% rise in August.