Labor Department Resumes Work on CPI Inflation Report Amid Government Shutdown, Data Release Delayed

Labor Department to Release Key CPI Inflation Report Amid Government Shutdown; Other Data Delayed

Even as the federal government shuts down, the Labor Department restarts work on the CPI report. The Department pays close attention to the link between the government pause and the need for inflation data. Inflation numbers for September will soon be seen, though they come with a delay.

CPI Report Resumption and Timing

A White House official notes that the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the Labor Department, now resumes work on the September CPI numbers. The report was planned nine days before. The report will now appear at 8:30 a.m. Eastern on October 24, 2025. The CPI shows price shifts for many goods and services over time. This link helps consumers, business people, and decision makers see inflation trends.

Reason for Resuming Work on CPI

BLS stopped work on the report when the government ran short on funds. The Social Security Administration needs the CPI for the third quarter. They must use the numbers to set cost-of-living changes by November 1. This need moved the report forward despite the shutdown.

Other Economic Data Releases Delayed

The CPI report goes ahead. Yet, other data—like the nonfarm payroll report—do not move forward. The shutdown has caused these delays. The Senate did not pass the funding bills and this pause now affects many government agencies and key data for economic analysis.

Context and Impact

The report gives insight into inflation trends and helps guide actions by the Federal Reserve, investors, and consumers.
The delay in other reports affects the view of markets and government plans.
The shutdown shows how a deadlock in funding changes government work and the flow of economic data.

Background on Shutdown

The shutdown has stopped many official reports and services. The Labor Department now puts CPI work ahead of most tasks. This step matters for planning cost-of-living changes for federal benefits.

Summary:

Labor Department and BLS will restart the CPI report for September even with the shutdown.
The CPI report will be released on October 24, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern—nine days behind schedule.
The report is needed to set cost-of-living changes before November 1.
Other key data, such as nonfarm payrolls, remain behind due to the shutdown.
The Senate has not passed the funding bills, keeping the shutdown in place.

This update gives some relief to markets and people who wait for inflation data, even as broader issues keep government work at a slow pace.

— Reporting by Alex Harring, CNBC

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