UK inflation data for February 'little more than a relic' as it holds at 3%

On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 0.4% in February this year, the same rate as in February 2025, according to data from the Office for National Statistics released today (25 March).  Clothing made the largest upward contribution to the monthly change in CPI, while motor fuel made the largest downward contribution. Meanwhile, core CPI, which excludes energy, food, alcohol and tobacco prices, increased to 3.2% in the 12 months to February 2026, up from the 3.1% recorded in January.  Aberdeen deputy chief economist Luke Bartholomew described the inflation report as "little more than a r...