The UK inflation rate was 3.8 percent in August 2025, unchanged from the previous month, and the fastest rate of inflation since January 2024. Between September 2022 and March 2023, the UK experienced seven months of double-digit inflation, which peaked at 11.1 percent in October 2022. Due to this long period of high inflation, UK consumer prices have increased by over 20 percent in the last three years. As of the most recent month, prices were rising fastest in the education sector, at 7.5 percent, with prices increasing at the slowest rate in the clothing and footwear sector. The Cost of Living Crisis High inflation is one of the main factors behind the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis in the UK, which, despite subsiding somewhat in 2024, is still impacting households going into 2025. In December 2024, for example, 56 percent of UK households reported their cost of living was increasing compared with the previous month, up from 45 percent in July, but far lower than at the height of the crisis in 2022. After global energy prices spiraled that year, the UK's energy price cap increased substantially. The cap, which limits what suppliers can charge consumers, reached 3,549 British pounds per year in October 2022, compared with 1,277 pounds a year earlier. Along with soaring food costs, high-energy bills have hit UK households hard, especially lower income ones that spend more of their earnings on housing costs. As a result of these factors, UK households experienced their biggest fall in living standards in decades in 2022/23. Global inflation crisis causes rapid surge in prices The UK's high inflation, and cost of living crisis in 2022 had its origins in the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the initial waves of the virus, global supply chains struggled to meet the renewed demand for goods and services. Food and energy prices, which were already high, increased further in 2022. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 brought an end to the era of cheap gas flowing to European markets from Russia. The war also disrupted global food markets, as both Russia and Ukraine are major exporters of cereal crops. As a result of these factors, inflation surged across Europe and in other parts of the world, but typically declined in 2023, and approached more usual levels by 2024.

Inflation Rate in the United Kingdom remained unchanged at 3.80 percent in August. This dataset provides - United Kingdom Inflation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Fast-Food Franchises industry has been influenced by changing consumer preferences and the convenience of online food ordering. Although demand for cheaper, on-the-go food is boosting sales, fast-food establishments have had to adapt to changing consumer tastes and rising health consciousness by introducing healthier options and vegetarian and vegan offerings to capture mounting demand. The boom of delivery services has also fed revenue growth, as many opt for fast-food for its convenience and digital ordering has made it easier to receive meals. Revenue is expected to rise at a compound annual rate of 3.6% over the five years through 2025-26 to £13.1 billion. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, fast-food franchises faced escalating operating costs, with soaring food and energy prices hitting profitability. Lingering supply disruptions continue to pressure food costs, with the price of beef in particular surging. Additionally, hikes in the National Living Wage are worsening these cost rises, due to the industry’s reliance on low-skilled labour. This is prompting franchises to streamline operations by integrating new technology like self-service kiosks to cut down on labour expenses. Intense competition and these heightened operating costs are weighing on profit, although it’s still higher than it was five years ago due to the pandemic. However, financial pressures have also brought opportunities. Cost-of-living pressures are continuing, with inflation reaching 3.8% in the 12 months to August 2025. This is driving more low-income consumers towards cheap fast-food restaurants, though many others are also cutting out discretionary spending on eating out, restricting revenue growth to just 0.1% in 2025-26. Revenue is forecast to climb at a compound annual rate of 3% over the five years through 2030-31 to reach £15.2 billion. The convenience and low prices offered by fast-food outlets will continue to drive demand. Fast-food franchises that provide clear nutritional information, source ingredients responsibly, provide healthier options and continuously innovate their menus with new and exciting flavours will stand out in this competitive market. Additionally, expansion plans by the industry’s biggest names provide a bright outlook for revenue, while AI should help brands optimise production and boost their performance.

In the second quarter of 2025, the unemployment rate in the United Kingdom was highest in England, where it was 4.8 percent, followed by Wales at 4.3 percent, Scotland at 3.8 percent, and 2.4 percent in Northern Ireland, the lowest rate among the four countries of the UK. For all four countries, the peak in unemployment during this period was in the early 2010s. England and Scotland's unemployment rates were highest in Q4 2011 at 8.4 percent and 8.6 percent respectively, with unemployment reaching 9.7 percent in Wales during Q3 2011. Northern Ireland reported its highest unemployment rate in Q1 of 2013 when it reached eight percent. Unemployment ticking up as UK enters 2025 For the United Kingdom as a whole, the unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in November 2024, the joint-highest rate recorded since August 2021. After reaching 8.5 percent in late 2011, unemployment in the UK fell quite consistently for several years, with this recovery interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw unemployment rise to 5.3 percent in late 2020 and early 2021. From this point onwards, however, the labor market bounced back, and was particular strong in 2022 when there were a record number of job vacancies and unemployment fell to as low as 3.6 percent. While the labor market cooled throughout 2023 and 2024, unemployment remained at historically low levels. Overall economy grows but GDP per head falls Throughout the whole of 2024, gross domestic product in the UK grew by 0.9 percent, but in the third quarter of the year, there was no economic growth, followed by the relatively weak growth rate of 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter. Furthermore, GDP per head in the UK, declined for a second-consecutive year, and was just 36,977 pounds in 2024, compared with 37,371 pounds in 2022. Inflation, meanwhile, has fallen from the peak of 11.1 percent in October 2022, but was still at the relatively high rate of 4 percent at the start of 2024, with this falling to 2.5 percent by the end of the year.

Revenue is expected to inch up at a compound annual rate of 0.5% to £4.2 billion over the five years through 2025-26. Growing consumer preference for convenience and affordability has boosted demand for pizza delivery and takeaways. Brands across the industry have worked to boost their customer reach, making it easier for customers to receive their orders and driving sales. Large pizza chains like Domino's and Pizza Hut have developed well-established, easy-to-use websites and mobile apps to assist consumers. Small companies have utilised the proliferation of online food delivery platforms like Deliveroo and Uber Eats to enhance their reach. This has made it even more convenient for consumers to purchase a pizza, underpinning revenue growth. Income pressures and cost hikes have restricted revenue growth and slashed profit since 2022-23. With inflation reaching 3.8% in the 12 months to August 2025, this is driving more low-income consumers towards cheap fast-food restaurants, though many others are also cutting out discretionary spending on eating out. Also, the average spend per order is travelling downwards as consumers trade down from premium pizzas to more basic options to cut costs. As a result, revenue growth is restricted to just 0.7% in 2025-26. Additionally, there is significant upward pressure on food prices and wage costs, significantly impacting pizza takeaway establishments' profit prospects. This is causing industry names to be cautious with opening new stores, limiting the opportunity for sales and revenue expansion. Revenue is expected to climb at a compound annual rate of 2.4% to £4.7 billion over the five years through 2030-31. In the medium term, pizza takeaways will continue to face challenging operating conditions thanks to increased wage costs and ongoing supply chain disruptions. Yet, new menus to suit changing consumer tastes and to fight back against competition from other takeaway outlets will help to attract sales. Additionally, big brands are determined to go ahead with long-term expansion plans and smaller brands can succeed by focusing on niche markets, boosting the industry’s scope. Furthermore, automation technology provides an opportunity for pizza brands to minimise labour costs, improving profit. However, the implementation of the junk food ad ban in January 2026 could present a new challenge by reducing brand awareness.