Alcohol duties push up inflation

Inflation was driven up by higher fuel and food costs. Under the Retail Prices Index (RPI), it rose to 4.2% in April from 3.8% the previous month. The rise in alcohol prices imposed by the March Budget was also a factor.

Meanwhile, inflation under the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), which excludes housing costs and is the government’s preferred measure, was up to 3.0% from 2.5% in March.