British inflation surged to 5.2 per cent in September from a year earlier on soaring energy prices, matching its record high level of three years ago, official data showed on Tuesday.
The Office for National Statistics said annual Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation soared from a level of 4.5 per cent in August. Analysts had forecast a jump to 4.9 per cent, according to a poll by Dow Jones Newswires.
"CPI annual inflation has never been higher (than the latest level) but was also 5.2 per cent in September 2008," the ONS said in a statement.
"By far the largest upward pressure to the change in CPI annual inflation between August and September came from increases in gas and electricity charges.
"There were also large upward pressures from air transport and communication services," it added.
Consumer Prices Index inflation meanwhile jumped by 0.6 per cent in September from August on a month-on-month basis, the ONS said. That was also higher than analyst expectations of a 0.4-per cent increase.
Short link: