# UK inflation is due on 21 October after August's 3.1%, with fuel prices and a divided Bank of England in focus > The ONS publishes September's consumer prices at 7:00 a.m. UK time on 21 October, a day after the labour market data. The Bank of England held Bank Rate at 3.75% on a 6–3 vote and decides next on 5 November. - Canonical URL: https://forextradingcommunity.com/news/uk-inflation-september-2026-preview/ - Type: Preview - Published: 2026-10-20 - Updated: 2026-10-20 - Publisher: Forex Trading Community (https://forextradingcommunity.com), FTC Editorial Team - Currencies: GBP The Office for National Statistics publishes UK consumer price inflation for September on Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 7:00 a.m. UK time. It comes a day after the labour market figures and two weeks before the Bank of England's next decision on 5 November. The figures below are those known on 5 October. ## Where August left things - **CPI inflation**: 3.1%, up from 2.9% in July, with prices up 0.5% on the month - **Core CPI**, excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco: 2.6% - **Services inflation**: 3.4%. **Goods inflation**: 2.7% - **Motor fuels**: 23.0% more expensive than a year earlier, against 15.5% in July Core and services inflation did not move, so the rise came from fuel and other energy-related prices ([August report](/news/uk-inflation-august-2026-3-1-percent/)). ## The Bank of England's position On 17 September the Monetary Policy Committee voted 6–3 to hold Bank Rate at 3.75%, with three members wanting an increase to 4%. It also voted unanimously to run its gilt holdings down to zero by 2034 ([report](/news/bank-of-england-holds-3-75-percent-september-2026/)). ## What the surveys say S&P Global's flash UK composite PMI fell to 51.7 in September from 52.5, a three-month low, and its chief business economist described "a worrying combination of disappointingly sluggish economic growth and intensifying inflationary pressures" ([report](/news/flash-pmi-september-2026-us-eurozone-uk/)). ## What to look at - **Headline CPI** against 3.1%, and fuel after August's jump - **Core and services inflation**, which the Committee watches for persistence - **The labour market data of 20 October** (7:00 a.m. UK time), including pay growth - **Monthly GDP for August**, published on 15 October ## Why sterling reacts UK data matter for the pound through what they imply for Bank Rate. With three members already voting for an increase, a core reading above expectations strengthens that camp, while a softer one favours holding. Live prices: [GBP/USD](/markets/gbp-usd/). [How interest rate decisions move currencies](/news/how-interest-rate-decisions-move-currencies/) explains the link, and the week's other releases are in the [week-ahead calendar](/news/forex-week-ahead-19-23-october-2026/). ## What happens next The Bank of England decides on 5 November at 12:00 London time, with a new Monetary Policy Report. ## Sources - [Office for National Statistics: Consumer price inflation, UK: September 2026 (release date 21 October 2026, 7:00am)](https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/consumerpriceinflationukseptember2026) - [Office for National Statistics: Labour market overview, UK (next release 20 October 2026)](https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/latest) - [Bank of England: Monetary Policy Committee dates for 2026 and 2027](https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/upcoming-mpc-dates) ## Common questions ### When is UK inflation for September 2026 released? Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 7:00 a.m. UK time, from the Office for National Statistics. ### What was UK inflation in August 2026? 3.1%, up from 2.9% in July, with core inflation unchanged at 2.6%. ### What is the Bank of England's interest rate? 3.75%. The Committee held it on 17 September 2026 on a 6–3 vote, with three members voting for an increase to 4%. ### When is the next Bank of England decision? 5 November 2026 at 12:00 London time, with the Monetary Policy Report. ### When is the UK labour market data released? 20 October 2026, the day before the inflation figures. --- This article is for information only and is not financial advice. Trading forex and CFDs carries a high risk of losing money.