![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/Rishi-Sunak-and-Akshata-Murty-5068528.jpg?r=1700089584249\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The rate dropped below 5% for the first time in two years delivering on the Prime Minister\u2019s number-one
promise to the public.<\/p>\n
Economists said the fall from 6.7% the previous month means Britain will no longer be seen as an \u201cinflation nation\u201d and \u201cslams the door\u201d on any further interest rate hikes.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister said at the start of the year the rate would halve by the end of 2023 when it was 10.7%.<\/p>\n
The bigger-than-expected fall gives Mr Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt more flexibility ahead of next week\u2019s autumn statement and will fuel calls for tax cuts from the Tory right. It also comes as a welcome relief to families in the run-up to Christmas.<\/p>\n
Keeping one of his five key promises \u2013 which also include growing the economy, reducing the national debt, cutting NHS waiting lists and stopping small boat channel crossings \u2013 will be a major relief in Downing Street.<\/p>\n
Mr Sunak said: \u201cIn January I made halving inflation this year my top \u00adpriority. I did that because it is, without a doubt, the best way to ease the cost of living and give families financial security. Today, we have delivered on that pledge.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said cutting the rate prices go up was his top priority because it \u201cworks like a tax, eating into the pound in your pocket\u201d.<\/p>\n
And he added that getting it down \u201cinvolved hard decisions and fiscal discipline\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Hunt said: \u201cBut while it is welcome news that prices are no longer rising as quickly, we know many people are \u00adcontinuing to struggle, which is why we must stay the course to continue to get inflation all the way back down to 2%.\u201d<\/p>\n
A slowdown in gas and electricity prices helped see the rate of inflation for October. Energy prices were capped at \u00a32,500 last year for the typical \u00adhousehold but this now stands at \u00a31,834.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/Rishi-Sunak-London-5068548.jpg?r=1700089584329\")
<\/p>\n
The government has set the Bank of England a target of bringing inflation down to 2% with interest rates \u2013 currently at 5.25% \u2013 used to control spiralling prices. Mr Hunt said the government is \u00ad\u201cbeginning to win the battle against inflation\u201d but \u201cthere\u2019s lots more work to do\u201d. He said meeting the \u00adpromise of halving inflation would allow the Government to \u201cmove to the next part of our economic plan\u201d, focused on growth.<\/p>\n
He told broadcasters: \u201cThere\u2019s lots more work to do. We still have to bring inflation down to its target level of 2%. But now we are beginning to win the \u00adbattle, we can move to the next part of our economic plan, which is the long-term growth of the British economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why next week will be an autumn statement for growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: \u201cThe fall in inflation will come as some relief for families struggling with the cost of living. But, now is not the time for Conservative ministers to be popping \u00adchampagne corks and patting themselves on the back. After thirteen years of economic failure under the Conservatives, working people are worse off with higher mortgage bills, prices still rising in the shops and \u00adinflation twice as high as the Bank of England\u2019s target.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nicholas Hyett, Investment Analyst at Wealth Club, said: \u201cA substantial fall in \u00adinflation should help ease the cost-of-living crisis, while a pause in interest rate rises will be a huge relief to mortgage holders.<\/p>\n
\u201cDowning Street will be particularly pleased to wave goodbye to the UK\u2019s status as the inflation nation since it means the Prime Minister’s pledge to cut inflation in half is achieved a month ahead of schedule.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough whether the government is entitled to celebrate a fall in global energy prices over which it has no control
is rather dubious.\u201d<\/p>\n
Julian Jessop of the Institute of Economic Affairs, said the UK is now \u201con track\u201d to meet the Bank of England\u2019s 2%
inflation target.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThis should slam the door on any further increases in interest rates and bring forward the timing of the first cut.<\/p>\n