UK shop price inflation hits two-and-a-half-year high as retailers pass on costs

UK shop price inflation rose to 2.1% in October, the highest in two and a half years, as retailers began passing on rising energy and food costs.

• British Retail Consortium data showed shop price inflation reached 2.1% year on year in October, up from 1.4% in September.
• Food inflation rose to 2.9% and non-food inflation more than doubled to 1.7% year on year.
• BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said "the dam is starting to break" on the wave of costs retailers have absorbed over the past two years.
• Bank of England officials are expected to raise interest rates next week, from 3.75% to 4%.