UK inflation remained unchanged last month but food and drink price rises have accelerated for the fifth month in a row, new official figures show. The rate of Consumer Prices Index was 3.8% in August, the same as July, the Office for National Statistics said. This was the level that most economists had been expecting. However, the rate of food and drink inflation rose to 5.1% in August, from 4.9% in July, as shoppers continued to face higher prices for items at the till.
