UK April inflation figure overstated after ‘error’ as ONS speaks out | Personal Finance | Finance

April’s headline inflation figure was 0.1 percentage points too high due to an “error” in some of the data collected, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has admitted.

Official data published last month showed Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation jumped to 3.5% in April, up from 2.6% in March. However, the ONS released a statement on Thursday confirming it has since spotted an error in the vehicle excise duty data provided by the Department for Transport, forming part of the information used to calculate inflation. According to statisticians, the number of vehicles subject to the tax in the first year of registration was too high in the data given.

This meant the CPI was overstated by 0.1 percentage points in April, meaning it should have been 3.4%. Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation was also 0.1 percentage points too high for the month.

The ONS said it would not amend the official published figures, but is reviewing its quality assurance processes for external data in light of the issue. It also confirmed that no other periods were affected by the error.

The ONS apologised for the inconvenience and said the correct vehicle excise duty data will be used for May’s inflation announcement, and that “no further statistics will be affected”.

Vehicle excise duty is levied on every vehicle using public roads in the UK, including electric cars, which from April were no longer exempt.

The tax rate for petrol cars also increased from April, with owners of the largest and most polluting vehicles seeing a doubling of the amount they have to pay in the first year.

The ONS had said the car tax hike was one of the biggest factors contributing to the increase in CPI inflation in April.