UK inflation jumps to highest in nearly a year at 3.5%

LONDON, Oct 21 (Reuters) British inflation rose by more than expected last month, according to data that is likely to intensify calls for ​support for households in next week s budget ‌and add to the case for an increase in interest rates by the Bank of England in November. Annual consumer price inflation rose by 3.5% in September after a 3.1% increase ‌in ​August, the Office for National ⁠Statistics said on Wednesday. A ⁠Reuters poll of economists had shown a median forecast of 3.4% as the surge in energy prices caused by the Iran war gathered more steam ​last month. September s rise, which the ONS said was due to higher petrol and diesel costs, took ⁠inflation to its highest since ⁠October 2025. The BoE had predicted a smaller ​rise to 3.0% in forecasts it published in July. Wednesday s ​inflation data release comes a week before finance ‌minister John Healey s first budget when he is expected to offer some further support for households hit hardest by the jump in energy prices. Un