UK inflation remains unchanged at 3% in February

Inflation remained unchanged at 3% in February, largely in line with expectations, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The figure was recorded before the start of the US’ and Israel’s war with Iran, which is expected to cause an upward pressure on prices.

On a monthly basis, CPI increased by 0.4% in February 2026, matching the growth seen in February 2025.

Clothing and footwear prices provided the largest upward pressure on the annual rate, rising by 0.9% in the 12 months to February 2026. This compares with no change in the 12 months to January and represents the highest rate for the sector since March 2025.

These increases were balanced by downward contributions from transport and the alcohol and tobacco sector. Motor fuel prices fell by 4.6% in the 12 months to February 2026, a steeper decline than the 2.2% fall recorded in January.

Petrol prices fell by 1.6 pence per litre between January and February 2026 to reach an average of 131.6 pence. This is the lowest price recorded since June 2021. Diesel prices also fell by 1.4 pence per litre to an average of 141.1 pence.

Alcohol and tobacco prices rose by 3.6% in the year to February 2026, down from 4.6% in January. This represents the lowest rate for the division since February 2022, driven primarily by price discounting across spirits, wines, and beers.

Core CPI, which excludes volatile items such as energy, food, alcohol, and tobacco, rose by 3.2% in the 12 months to February 2026. This is an increase from the 3.1% recorded in the 12 months to January.

The UK’s CPI inflation rate of 3% remains higher than several international counterparts. In February 2026, the inflation rate for the European Union was 2.1%, while Germany and France recorded rates of 2% and 1.1% respectively.

ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: “February’s inflation figures have, for the first time, included supermarket scanner data, replacing many of our physically collected prices, marking a significant improvement in our measurement and understanding of changing prices.

“After last month’s slowdown, annual inflation was unchanged in February as various price movements offset each other. The largest upwards driver was the price of clothing, which rose this month but fell a year ago. This was offset by falls in petrol costs, with prices collected before the start of the conflict in the Middle East and subsequent rise in crude oil prices.”

He added: “A fall in the cost of alcoholic drinks due to promotional activity, compared with a rise last year, was also a downward driver, while little change in food prices, again compared with a small rise this time last year, added further downward pressure.”