Inflation holds steady as lower food prices offset higher fuel costs

Inflation was flat in March, as lower food prices offset higher fuel costs at the pumps.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) was unchanged at 1.9% last month, matching February’s rate.

March inflation missed economists’ expectations of 2%, which would have put it squarely in line with the Bank of England’s target.

Mike Hardie, head of inflation at the ONS, said: “Inflation is stable, with motor fuel prices as well as the cost of computer games growing more slowly than it did at this time last year.”

Drivers faced higher costs for fuel, with average petrol prices up by 1.2p per litre to 120.3p. Diesel rose 1.4p per litre to 130.7p.

But computer games weighed on the recreation and culture category, with prices growing at a slower rate than the previous year.

Games toys and hobbies, the category which includes computer games, rose 1% on the month, compared to a 3% rise in March of last year.

The ONS measures the prices of top-selling video games of each month, meaning new releases can affect the overall impact of the category.

Recording media, which includes CDs and DVDs, also weighed on recreation and culture. Prices fell 3.5% between February and March but were up 2.1% during the same period of 2018.

Costs of food and non-alcoholic beverages also held CPI back from rising.

Oils and fats had the most significant effect as prices slipped 1.4% in March, in contrast to last year’s rise of 6.7%.

The CPI, including owner-occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH) – the ONS’s preferred measure of inflation – was 1.8% in March, unchanged from February.

The Retail Prices Index (RPI), a separate measure of inflation, was unchanged from February at 2.4%.