Core Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation in the United Kingdom slowed markedly in May 2026, according to the latest data updated on 17 June 2026. The month‑over‑month rate eased to 0.2%, down from 0.8% in April 2026.
On a comparative basis, the May figure shows a significant deceleration in underlying price pressures, with the current 0.2% increase measured against April’s stronger 0.8% rise. As defined, the “Actual” data reflect the change in May versus April, while the “Previous” data capture the change in April versus March.
The sharp month‑to‑month moderation in core RPI may be interpreted by markets as a sign that underlying inflation momentum is cooling after a more robust reading in April, potentially influencing expectations around the future path of UK inflation and monetary policy.
