UK Inflation Hits Four-Month High at 2.9% in July 2026

UK inflation has reached a four-month high of 2.9% in July 2026, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This marks an increase from June's 2.6%, and it's the first rise since March 2026.

Clothing and footwear prices have also returned to annual inflation, rising 0.5% over 12 months after a 0.5% fall in June. However, clothing and footwear prices fell by 0.9% month-on-month (MoM) in July 2026, which is the smallest July fall since 2020.

Gas prices jumped by 14.7% in July 2026, mainly due to changes in standard variable tariffs after a July 2026 change in the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) energy price cap. This has left gas prices at their highest level since March 2024.