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UK inflation since 1948 UK inflation since 1948
(30 days later)
UK inflation stood at 3% in April 2012, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed today - down from 3.5% in March. UK inflation stood at 2.8% in May 2012, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed today - down from 3% in April.
More precisely the consumer price index (CPI) measure of inflation stands at 3%. In September last year, when the CPI stood at 5.2%, it had never been higher in recorded history. At 2.8%, it is the lowest level in two and a half years. Heather Stewart writes today:
The retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation stands at 3.5%, down from 3.6% in March. The Office for National Statistics said the annual inflation rate, measured on the consumer price index, slipped to 2.8% last month from 3% in April, as falling oil prices fed through to cheaper petrol at the pump.
The ONS cited motor fuels as the biggest factor, with petrol prices falling by 4.5p a litre in a single month, to stand at £1.37.
The consumer price index (CPI) measure of inflation stands at 2.8%. In September last year, when the CPI stood at 5.2%, it had never been higher in recorded history.
The retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation stands at 3.1%, down from 3.5% in April.
There are some important differences between these two main ways the ONS use to measure inflation. The government prefers the consumer price index, which also includes services, housing, electricity, food, and transportation, but the retail price index covers more items. The RPI includes housing costs and is used for many pay negotiations and used to be used for pension payments. We've included both here - just click on the links on the spreadsheet. You can get the full list of items in the inflation basket here.There are some important differences between these two main ways the ONS use to measure inflation. The government prefers the consumer price index, which also includes services, housing, electricity, food, and transportation, but the retail price index covers more items. The RPI includes housing costs and is used for many pay negotiations and used to be used for pension payments. We've included both here - just click on the links on the spreadsheet. You can get the full list of items in the inflation basket here.
We have also added in pay data - and you can see how inflation is racing ahead of average earnings.We have also added in pay data - and you can see how inflation is racing ahead of average earnings.
We have gathered all the data for inflation since June 1948. Let us know what you can do with this data.We have gathered all the data for inflation since June 1948. Let us know what you can do with this data.
To find out more about how RPI and CPI differ, explore this set of interactive charts. The graphics show a breakdown of the different measures and components of inflation, and you can compare rates between countries.To find out more about how RPI and CPI differ, explore this set of interactive charts. The graphics show a breakdown of the different measures and components of inflation, and you can compare rates between countries.

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DATA: UK inflation since the 1940s - CPI and RPI
INTERACTIVE: how we visualised the data
DATA: UK inflation since the 1940s - CPI and RPI
INTERACTIVE: how we visualised the data
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