UK inflation fell to 2.8% in April despite Middle East energy shock

UK Inflation Drops Sharply in Respite from Iran Energy Shock

Economists polled by Reuters had mostly ​expected inflation to soften to 3.0%, in large part due to the ‌big increases in utility and other regulated prices in April last year falling out of the annual comparison.

The fall was more than expected, with most economists forecasting a drop to 3%.

It's a major boost for the Chancellor as economists had widely expected inflation to only ease by 0.3% on the back of a lower energy price cap that came into force on April 1.