Inflation has held steady at 2.2% in the year to August, according to official figures.

Prices for air fares rose but the increase was offset by lower fuel prices and falling costs at restaurants, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The latest figure means inflation remains slightly above the Bank of England’s target of 2%.

But it is significantly lower than at the peak of the cost of living crisis in 2022.

The latest inflation data comes as the Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates unchanged at 5% when it meets on Thursday.

Grant Fitzner, chief economist at the ONS, said inflation “held steady” in August as “various price fluctuations offset each other”.

“The main movements came from air fares, in particular to European destinations, which showed a large monthly rise, following a fall this time last year,” he added.

“This was offset by lower prices at the pump as well as falling costs at restaurants and hotels. Also, the prices of shop bought alcohol fell slightly this month, but rose at the same time last year.”

Raw material prices also fell last month, driven by lower crude oil prices.