The British inflation rate has hit a three-year high, rising to 5.2 percent in September.

The Office for National Statistics said the Consumer Price Index jumped from an annual rate of 4.5 percent in August to tie the record high mark set in September 2008. The September mark had been projected to be in the 4.9 percent range.

The larger than expected jump was driven by higher costs for electricity and gas.

The Consumer Price Index rate of inflation jumped by 0.6 percent between August and September. Analysts had expected an increase of 0.4 percent.