UK Inflation Rate Falls for First Time Since March to 3.6%. The UK inflation rate drops for the first time in seven months, easing to 3.6% in the year to October. It’s a small but significant shift, even if the fall is slightly less than economists forecast. The main driver? Energy prices rising more slowly, helping to cool overall inflation. But not all costs are easing. Food prices are still climbing, up 4.9% compared with October last year — meaning the weekly shop remains stubbornly expensive. With the Budget just days away, Chancellor Rachel Reeves says there’s “more to do” to ease the cost of living while Conservatives blame her previous Budget for “stoking” inflation. And despite the drop, inflation is still well above the Bank of England’s 2% target. This latest figure will shape next week’s economic decisions — and how far the government can go to offer relief to households under pressure.