UK inflation stays at 3.3% in March as fuel prices rise
UK inflation stays at 3.3% in March as fuel prices rise
ONS data shows CPI at 3.3% in March, with petrol at its highest since May 2024 and diesel at a peak since February 2023, signaling ongoing pressure on households.
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rising by 3.3% year on year in March. The figure confirms inflation is not easing quickly and keeps pressure on households as the cost of living stays a central concern for families and policymakers alike.
The March numbers also highlight that petrol prices are contributing to the uptick, with petrol inflation at its highest level since May 2024, and diesel following closely at its highest level since February 2023. These transport-related costs remain a key driver of the overall inflation rate and a focus for consumers watching every penny of their budgets.
Analysts say energy costs and transport are among the main pressures sustaining price gains, even as some categories show signs of cooling. The persistence of higher fuel costs means households may continue to feel the squeeze in days to come, while businesses assess how to navigate a pricing landscape that remains more volatile than in recent years.
With policymakers keeping a close eye on the trajectory of inflation, questions around how long price pressures will stay near current levels and what steps, if any, will be needed to support households are likely to dominate economic discussions in the near term.
