Inflation hits eight year peak

Higher mortgage interest payments pushed inflation to an eight-year high. In September the Retail Prices Index rose to 3.6% from 3.4% in August. Inflation was last higher in June 1998 at 3.7%.

The Consumer Prices Index, which excludes housing costs and is the government's preferred measure, fell to 2.4% in September from 2.5% in August.