The UK’s Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation slowed markedly in May 2026, with the month-on-month rate easing to 0.2%, down from 0.7% in April 2026. The latest data, updated on 17 June 2026, indicate a clear moderation in price pressures on a short-term basis.
On a month-over-month comparison, May’s 0.2% rise in RPI shows that prices are still increasing but at a much slower pace than the 0.7% gain recorded the previous month. In April, the 0.7% reading represented the change versus March, whereas the May figure reflects the change versus April, underscoring a notable loss of momentum in retail price growth.
The sharp step-down in the monthly RPI rate will be closely watched by market participants and policymakers as they assess the trajectory of inflation and its potential implications for household budgets, interest rate expectations and broader economic sentiment in the United Kingdom.
