The annual rate of UK inflation rose to 4.4% in July, up from 3.8% in June and more than twice the government’s 2% target, official figures have shown.
The rise in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) was more than expected, with food prices up a record 13.7% on the year.
High petrol prices also helped to push up inflation as the data was collected before the recent drop in oil prices.
Inflation as measured by the Retail Prices Index (RPI) – often used in pay negotiations – rose to 5% from 4.6%.