U.K. Sep. annual CPI rises to 5.2%, matches record

FRANKFURT (MarketWatch)
Consumer prices in Britain rose 5.2% in September compared to the same month last year, up from a 4.5% annual rate in August and matching a record set in September 2008, the U.K. Office for National Statistics reported Tuesday.
Monthly inflation rose 0.6% in September.
Economists had forecast a 0.4% monthly rise and a 4.9% annual figure.
Gas and electricity charges were the largest driver in the annual inflation increase, the ONS said.
The inflation rate far exceeds the Bank of England's 2% annual inflation target.
BOE policy makers, however, last month restarted the central bank's quantitative easing program amid expectations inflation will fall back sharply in coming months.