UK inflation eased by more than expected last month, new official figures show, delivering a boost to Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of her spring statement.
The rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell to 2.8% in February from 3% in January, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Most analysts had been expecting CPI inflation to come in at 2.9% for February.
The bigger-than-forecast inflation drop comes on the same day that Ms Reeves delivers her spring statement, where she is expected to announce spending cuts for some Government departments.
The ONS’s chief economist, Grant Fitzner, said: “Inflation eased in February. Clothing prices, particularly for women’s clothes, was the biggest driver for this month’s fall.
“This was only partially offset by small increases, for example, from alcoholic drinks.”
