經濟學人世界新聞簡訊 - 2023/9/20

英國通貨膨脹率意外降至6.7%

英國通貨膨脹率在8月意外降至6.7%，低於7月的6.8%。經濟學家此前預計通貨膨脹率將上升至7%。剔除能源、食品、酒精和菸草價格的核心通貨膨脹率也下降。財政大臣傑里米·亨特表示，這些數據表明政府的通貨膨脹應對措施正在奏效。

Britain’s annual inflation rate unexpectedly eased to 6.7% in August, down from 6.8% in July. Economists had predicted an increase to 7%. The core inflation rate, which strips out the prices of energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, also fell. Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, said the figures showed that the government’s inflation response was working “plain and simple”.

Etienne Martin on Unsplash

英國通貨膨脹率在8月意外下降，這是一個值得歡迎的發展。這表明政府應對通貨膨脹的措施，例如對能源公司的額外資本利得稅，可能已經開始產生影響。然而，重要的是要注意，通貨膨脹仍然處於非常高的水平，目前還無法確定這一下降是否是持續趨勢的跡象。

The unexpected fall in UK inflation in August is a welcome development. It suggests that the government's measures to combat inflation, such as the increase in the windfall tax on energy companies, may be starting to have an impact. However, it is important to note that inflation is still at a very high level, and it is too early to say whether this fall is a sign of a sustained trend.

在未來幾個月，有幾個因素可能會導致通貨膨脹進一步下降。例如，最近幾週油價下跌，這可能會導致燃料和其他商品價格下降。此外，政府的能源價格上限將於10月下調，這將進一步降低家庭能源帳單。

There are a number of factors that could contribute to a further fall in inflation in the coming months. For example, the price of oil has fallen in recent weeks, and this could feed through into lower prices for fuel and other goods. Additionally, the government's energy price cap is due to be cut in October, which will further reduce household energy bills.

然而，在未來幾個月，也有一些因素可能會對通貨膨脹施加上行壓力。例如，英鎊兌其他貨幣貶值，這可能會使進口商品更加昂貴。此外，烏克蘭戰爭仍在繼續，這可能會繼續擾亂供應鏈並推高能源價格。

However, there are also some factors that could put upward pressure on inflation in the coming months. For example, the pound has weakened against other currencies, which could make imports more expensive. Additionally, the war in Ukraine is still ongoing, and this could continue to disrupt supply chains and push up energy prices.

總體而言，英國通貨膨脹的前景不確定。最近通貨膨脹下降是一個積極的信號，但目前還無法確定這種趨勢是否會繼續下去。政府將需要繼續密切監控情況，並在必要時採取進一步行動，將通貨膨脹重新控制在目標水平之下。

Overall, the outlook for UK inflation is uncertain. The recent fall in inflation is a positive sign, but it is too early to say whether this trend will continue. The government will need to continue to monitor the situation closely and take further action if necessary to bring inflation back down to target.

_{sources: https://www.economist.com/the-world-in-brief}

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