Inflation remained unchanged at 3.1% in September, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Consumer Prices Index (CPI) has been at 3.1% since July. A drop in transport costs last month offset a record jump in clothing prices and higher food inflation.

The Retail Prices Index declined slightly to 4.6% from 4.8% from the previous month.

CPI inflation has now been above the Bank of England target rate of 2% for ten months in succession, although the Bank has said it expects inflation to fall back to or below the target in the coming months due to spare capacity in the economy.