Inflation jumps up

Dearer mortgage interest payments after the January rise in interest rates pushed inflation higher. In February the Retail Prices Index rose by 4.6% - up from 4.2% the previous month.

Inflation under the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), which excludes housing costs, and is the government's preferred measure, also rose to 2.8% from 2.7% in January. Rising transport costs were the main factor contributing to the change.