Core Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation in the United Kingdom accelerated in March 2026, with the month‑over‑month rate rising to 0.8%, up from 0.4% in February. The data, updated on 22 April 2026, show that core price pressures have strengthened, as March’s increase was twice the pace recorded in the previous month.
On a month‑over‑month basis, the “Actual” figure for March reflects the change from February to March 2026, while the “Previous” figure captures the change from January to February 2026. The step-up from 0.4% to 0.8% suggests a notable pick‑up in underlying inflation momentum, as core RPI strips out the most volatile components and is closely watched for signals about persistent price trends.
The sharper rise in March’s core RPI may draw increased attention from markets and policymakers monitoring the trajectory of UK inflation. While no additional context was provided on the drivers of the move, the latest reading underscores that underlying price growth remains active on a month‑to‑month basis as the first quarter of 2026 concludes.
