Inflation sees sharpest increase on record

15 Sep 2021

Inflation rose to 3.2% last month from 2% in July – its largest ever recorded increase, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation for August was the highest since March 2012, though the ONS said much of the effect was likely to be temporary.

That was because a rise in restaurant and cafe prices last month compares to a period last year when they fell as a result of discounts offered under the government's 'Eat Out to Help Out' scheme.

Transport costs also made a big impact, with petrol prices at their highest since September 2013.

Rising food prices helped pushed inflation higher too, with the ONS saying this was due to 'shortages of supply chain staff and increased shipping costs, coupled with demand increases following the lifting of national lockdowns'.

The increase of 1.2 percentage points between the July CPI rate and the August CPI reading was the biggest on record, the ONS said.

Home | Contact us | Accessibility | Disclaimer | Help | Site map | Accreditation |

© 2025 DSJ Partners (UK) Limited. All rights reserved. | DSJ Partners (UK) Limited, 2nd Floor, 1 Bell Street, London NW1 5BY

Registered in England & Wales Registration number: 09346452.

Registered to carry on audit work in the UK by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. Details about our audit registration can be viewed at www.auditregister.org.uk under reference number C004601804.

In accordance with the disclosure requirements of the Provision of Services Regulations 2009, our Professional Indemnity Insurers are Aqueous Management Limited trading as Aqueous Underwriting. Contact details: 10th Floor, 5 Churchill Place, London E14 5HU. Policy number P241PA0006201

We use cookies on this website, you can find more information about cookies here.