13 November 2012 Last updated at 04:59 ET
UK inflation rate rises to 2.7% in October
Education costs jumped by 19.1% last month, the ONS said The UK's inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) jumped to 2.7% in October, up from 2.2% the month before
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the increase was fuelled by education costs, largely because of a sharp rise in university tuition fees.
Food prices also rose over the month, with price rises seen in some fresh food, including grapes and bananas.
The Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation rose to 3.2% from 2.6%.
University fees rose by 19.1% after the cap on charges was lifted by the government to £9,000 from £3,375.
Food price inflation increased after record wet weather affected crop yields, which the ONS said had pushed up vegetable prices.
September's CPI inflation figure had been the lowest for almost three years, and was significant as it is the month on which rises in many benefits is based.
Prices had been expected to pick up from that point, partly because of a recently announced round of energy price rises which will affect inflation figures in the coming months.
The ONS said SSE's price rise of about 9%, which came into effect last month, was not included in the October inflation figures.
The Bank of England's quarterly inflation report will be published tomorrow.
The rise in inflation may make it less likely that the Bank will provide further stimulus to the economy in the form of quantitative easing.
Source : bbc[dot]co[dot]uk
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