Fuel prices push up inflation figures

Rising fuel prices forced the underlying inflation rate up from 1.9% to 2.2% in September, according to official figures.

Rising fuel prices forced the underlying inflation rate up from 1.9% to 2.2% in September, according to official figures.

The Office for National Statistics said that the rising cost of crude oil was mainly to blame for the jump in the figures.

However, the figure is still well below the government's own underlying rate target of 2.5%.

Official figures also show the headline rate of inflation - which includes mortgage interest payments - rose to 3.3% from 3.0%.

The statistics would give an increase of around £2.25p a week on the single person's basic state pension. But it is believed that Gordon Brown will actually put the increase above inflation when he provides details in his pre-budget report.