The UK's annual core inflation rate edged up to 2.6% in May 2026 from April's nearly five-year low of 2.5%, though it came in slightly below market expectations of 2.7%. Core goods inflation eased to 2.0% from 2.4%, while core services inflation accelerated to 3.7% from 3.2%. On a monthly basis, core consumer prices rose 0.3%, slowing from a 0.7% increase in April and falling short of forecasts of 0.4%. It also marked the softest monthly rise since January. source: Office for National Statistics

Core consumer prices in the United Kingdom increased 2.60 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Core Inflation Rate in the United Kingdom averaged 2.11 percent from 1997 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 7.10 percent in May of 2023 and a record low of -0.10 percent in June of 2000. This page provides - United Kingdom Core Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. United Kingdom Core Inflation Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on June of 2026.

Core consumer prices in the United Kingdom increased 2.60 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Core Inflation Rate in the United Kingdom is expected to be 2.70 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Core Inflation Rate is projected to trend around 2.60 percent in 2027 and 2.30 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-05-20 06:00 AM
Core Inflation Rate YoY
Apr 2.5% 3.1% 2.6% 2.7%
2026-06-17 06:00 AM
Core Inflation Rate YoY
May 2.6% 2.5% 2.7% 2.6%
2026-07-22 06:00 AM
Core Inflation Rate YoY
Jun 2.6% 2.7%



Components Last Previous Unit Reference
PPI Output YoY 4.00 4.10 percent May 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Price Index CPI 142.40 142.10 points May 2026
Core Consumer Prices 138.60 138.20 points May 2026
Core Inflation Rate YoY 2.60 2.50 percent May 2026
Core Producer Prices 144.40 143.20 points May 2026
CPI Clothing and Footwear 120.10 119.80 points May 2026
CPI Education 152.70 152.70 points May 2026
CPI Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages 144.30 144.50 points May 2026
CPI Housing Utilities 149.70 149.80 points May 2026
CPI Recreation and Culture 135.80 135.70 points May 2026
CPI Hotels, Cafes and Restaurants 155.40 154.60 points May 2026
CPI Transportation 146.30 145.80 points May 2026
Food Inflation 2.20 3.00 percent May 2026
GDP Deflator 110.00 108.90 points Mar 2026
Inflation Rate YoY 2.80 2.80 percent May 2026
Inflation Rate MoM 0.20 0.70 percent May 2026
Producer Prices 148.60 147.90 points May 2026
Retail Price Index 415.30 414.40 percent May 2026


United Kingdom Core Inflation Rate
In the United Kingdom, the core inflation rate tracks changes in prices that consumers pay for a basket of goods which excludes some volatile price items.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
2.60 2.50 7.10 -0.10 1997 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
UK Core Inflation Slightly Below Estimates
The UK's annual core inflation rate edged up to 2.6% in May 2026 from April's nearly five-year low of 2.5%, though it came in slightly below market expectations of 2.7%. Core goods inflation eased to 2.0% from 2.4%, while core services inflation accelerated to 3.7% from 3.2%. On a monthly basis, core consumer prices rose 0.3%, slowing from a 0.7% increase in April and falling short of forecasts of 0.4%. It also marked the softest monthly rise since January.
2026-06-17
UK Core Inflation Lowest in Near 5 Years
The UK’s annual core inflation rate eased to 2.5% in April 2026 from 3.1% in the prior month, slightly below market expectations of 2.6%. It marked the lowest reading since July 2021, largely due to a sharp slowdown in core services inflation, which cooled to 3.2% from 4.5% in the previous month. Meanwhile, goods inflation accelerated to 2.4% from 2.1%, indicating persistent price pressures in consumer goods. On a monthly basis, core consumer prices rose 0.7%, easing short of forecasts for a 0.8% increase but picking up from March’s 0.6% gain. The latest figure marked the third straight monthly rise and the fastest monthly pace in a year.
2026-05-20
UK Core Inflation Rate Below Estimates
The UK’s annual core inflation rate eased to 3.1% in March 2026, slightly less than both market expectations and February’s 3.2% reading. Despite the softer headline, underlying price pressures gained traction, amid acceleration in both core services inflation (4.5% vs 4.3% in February) and goods inflation (2.1% vs 1.6%). On a monthly basis, core consumer prices rose 0.4%, falling short of forecasts of 0.5% and slowing from February’s 0.6% gain. Still, it marked a second consecutive monthly gain.
2026-04-22