UK Inflation Rises to 3.3% in March

UK CPI rose to 3.3% in March 2026, up from 3% in February, driven by a surge in fuel prices.
Motor fuel prices switched from a 4.6% annual decline to a 4.9% rise, with petrol up 8.6 p/L and diesel up 17.6 p/L.
Transport costs rose 4.7% YoY; air fares jumped 10% MoM, the biggest Feb‑Mar rise since 2016, while food inflation accelerated to 3.7%.
ING forecasts inflation of 3.5‑4% later this year but expects no BoE rate hike unless inflation exceeds 4%; Ofgem cap update in July may limit price rise.