UK consumer price inflation was 2.8% in the 12 months to May 2026, unchanged from April, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. On a monthly basis, the Consumer Prices Index rose 0.2% in May, matching the increase recorded in May 2025.
The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs was 3.0% year on year in May, also unchanged from April, and rose 0.2% on the month. Transport made the largest upward contribution to the monthly change in the annual rates for both CPI and CPIH, while food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest downward contribution, partly offsetting that increase.
Official data also showed core CPI, which excludes energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, rose 2.6% in the 12 months to May, up from 2.5% in April. CPI goods inflation slowed to 2.0% from 2.4%, while CPI services inflation increased to 3.7% from 3.2%.
Food and drink inflation eased to 2.2% from 3.0%, fuel inflation rose to 24.6% from 23.0%, and heating oil inflation slowed to 95.6% from 129.6%.