What will lower inflation figures mean for interest rates in the UK?

INFLATION is expected to have fallen back to its lowest level for nearly a year in Wednesday's official figures for January, in a boost to interest rate cut hopes.

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Most economists are forecasting Office for National Statistics (ONS) data to show Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell back sharply to 3% in January from 3.4% in December, according to Pantheon Macroeconomics.

This would be the lowest level since March 2025.

It is set to come on the back of lower airfares, food and energy price inflation in January.

The figures are likely to reinforce expectations of another interest rate cut, possibly as soon as next month.

Disappointing growth figures for the final quarter of last year have added to forecasts for a rate cut in March, to 3.5% from 3.75% currently.