The rate of inflation in the UK rose to 5.2% in September, up from 4.5% in August, the Office for National Statistics announced this morning.
The rate is based on the Consumer Prices Index and is the highest measure since September 2008.

The Retail Price Index annual rate also increased to 5.6%, up from 5.2% in August, reaching its highest level in 20 years.

Small downward effects on the CPI rate came from furniture, household equipment and maintenance, with prices of furniture, furnishings and carpets rising 1.4% on the month before, after an increase of 2.8% in September last year, and household textiles and small electrical goods prices rising by 1.5%, compared with a 3.2% increase in September 2010.

The main downward contributions came from carpets, ready-made curtains and kitchen furniture.

This effect was partially offset by tools and equipment for the house and garden, where prices went up by 2.2% compared with the month before, after dropping 0.2% in September last year. Prices of glassware, tableware and household utensils also rose by 1.4% month-on-month.

The 5.2% CPI inflation rate is well ahead of the Bank of England's target rate of 2%.