The cost of food increased in August, according to the latest official inflation figures.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows the Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH) rose by 4.1% in the 12 months to August, down from 4.2% in July.

The ONS figures, released today (17 September), revealed food inflation rose to 5.1% in the year to August, climbing for the fifth consecutive month.

On a monthly basis, CPIH increased by 0.3%, compared with 0.4% in August 2024.

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI), which does not include housing costs, rose by 3.8% in the 12 months to August, unchanged from July. Monthly CPI growth was also 0.3%, matching the same period in 2024.

According to the ONS, air fares made the largest downward contribution to the annual inflation rates for both CPIH and CPI. These were partially offset by contributions from restaurants and hotels, as well as motor fuels.

More generally, core measures of inflation slowed in August. Core CPIH (excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco) rose by 4.0% year-on-year, down from 4.2% in July. Within CPIH, the goods rate rose from 2.7% to 2.8%, while the services rate eased from 5.2% to 4.9%.

Similarly, core CPI rose by 3.6% in the 12 months to August, down from 3.8% in July. The CPI goods rate increased slightly from 2.7% to 2.8%, while the services rate fell from 5.0% to 4.7%.

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