Financial MarketsThe GuardianWed, May 20, 2026, 6:01 AMPositive

UK inflation slows to 2.8% as energy price cap softens impact of rising fuel costs

UK inflation has slowed to 2.8% in April, marking the lowest rate in over a year, primarily due to a reduction in the household energy price cap, which has mitigated the impact of rising fuel costs linked to the ongoing Iran war. The Office for National Statistics reported a decrease from March's 3.3%, indicating that the anticipated effects of the conflict have not yet significantly affected UK households despite rising petrol prices.

UK inflation slows to 2.8% as energy price cap softens impact of rising fuel costs

WPN Brief

  • What Happened

    UK inflation has slowed to 2.8% in April, marking the lowest rate in over a year, primarily due to a reduction in the household energy price cap, which has mitigated the impact of rising fuel costs linked to the ongoing Iran war. The Office for National Statistics reported a decrease from March's 3.3%, indicating that the anticipated effects of the conflict have not yet significantly affected UK households despite rising petrol prices.

  • Why It Matters

    This development is significant as it suggests that the UK economy is currently absorbing the shocks from international events better than expected, providing a potential boost for policymakers like Rachel Reeves, who may leverage this data to advocate for economic stability and growth amidst global uncertainties.

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