UK inflation continued to rise hitting 5.2 per cent in September, pushed up by rises in gas and electricity bills.

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation rose from 4.7 per cent in August. Price increases for clothing and footwear also had an effect on inflation levels.

The Government's target for the inflation rate, based on the CPI measure, is 2 per cent. The Bank of England has predicted inflation will stay above government targets well into next year.

Food inflation slowed for the first time since March — from 14.5 in August to 12.7 per cent in September .

Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation rose to 5 per cent in September, up from 4.8 per cent in August.

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