Inflation remains unchanged in August
UK inflation remained unchanged at 2.2% last month, just above the Bank of England's 2% target.
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics showed Consumer Prices Index inflation has remained above the 2% target for the second month in a row, after rising for the first time this year in July.
Experts said the figures reinforce expectations that the Bank of England will hold rates at 5% when it decides on Thursday.
Grant Fitzner, Chief Economist at the ONS, said: "Inflation held steady in August as various price fluctuations offset each other."
While CPI is below recent forecasts by the Bank of England, inflation is predicted to edge further above the 2% target towards the end of the year, leaving policymakers in no rush to cut rates, according to economists.
Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: "Years of sky-high inflation have taken their toll; and prices are still much higher than four years ago.
"So, while more manageable inflation is welcome, we know that millions of families across Britain are struggling, which is why we are determined to fix the foundations of our economy."
The latest data also showed the CPI measure of inflation including housing costs (CPIH) remained unchanged at 3.1% in August, while the Retail Prices Index (RPI), which measures a representative group of retail goods and services, fell back to 3.5% from 3.6% in July.
