UK inflation falls as meat and crumpet prices drop
Price falls for some food items like meat, crumpets and chocolate biscuits helped drive inflation down to its lowest level in two-and-a-half years.
The rate consumer prices have been rising at fell to 3.2% in the year to March, down from 3.4% the month before, according to official figures.
Inflation has been falling gradually since it peaked at 11.1% in late 2022.
However, lower inflation does not mean prices overall are coming down, they are just rising less quickly.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the price rises seen across most types of food products eased between February and March, with small increases being seen for bread and cereals.
But meat prices fell by 0.5% between February and March, compared with a rise of 1.4% a year ago, with pork products one of the big reasons behind the slowing rate.
Soaring food and energy bills have been the main causes behind the UK's high inflation in recent years.
Oil and gas were in greater demand after the Covid pandemic, and prices surged again when Russia invaded Ukraine, cutting global supplies. The conflict also reduced the amount of grain for sale, pushing up food prices.
It led to inflation for food and non-alcoholic drinks hitting a peak of 19.2% in March last year - the highest level seen since the 1970s.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68833077