UK inflation steady at 2.4% in October after food price war

A rise had been predicted and ONS says cost of fuel pushed up cost of living

UK inflation was unchanged at 2.4% in October after a rise in the cost of petrol and utility bills was offset by falling food prices.

City economists had predicted an increase to 2.5% but a price war on the high street, especially among food retailers, drove down the cost of the weekly shop and held back consumer inflation.