UK inflation rate remained at 3% in February

The UK inflation rate stayed at 3% in the year to February, largely in line with expectations, driven mostly by a rise in the price of clothing.

The figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) were collected before the US-Israel war with Iran began, which is expected to speed up the pace of price rises.

Inflation, which measures the rate of price increases, has remained "sticky" after a period of steady falls.

Although the rate of inflation has fallen, prices themselves are not coming down, but simply rising at a slower pace.

Chief economist of the Office for National Statistics Grant Fitzner said: "After last month's slowdown, annual inflation was unchanged."

"The largest upwards driver was the price of clothing, which rose this month but fell a year ago.

"This was offset by falls in petrol costs, with prices collected before the start of the conflict in the Middle East and subsequent rise in crude oil prices."

The ONS said clothing and footwear prices rose by 0.9% in the 12 months to February compared to no change in price in the 12 months to January.

Meanwhile, discounted alcohol pushed inflation down, the ONS said, adding that alcohol and tobacco saw their lowest recorded inflation rate since February 2022.