Eurozone inflation rate jumps to 3%

Euro notes and coins Euro interest rates were raised from 1.25% to 1.5% in July

The eurozone inflation rate is expected to show a sharp increase to 3% in

September, up from 2.5% in August, according to official estimates.

No breakdown was given, but the EU's statistics agency said its initial

forecasts were usually "reliable".

Separate figures also released by Eurostat showed the eurozone unemployment

rate unchanged at 10% in August from the previous month.

The number of people unemployed fell by 38,000 compared with July.

The European Central Bank target for inflation is 2%, and the bank raised

interest rates in July from 1.25% to 1.5% in order to combat rising prices.