Inflation jumps

There was a shock jump in inflation with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rate climbing to 13.8% from 13.4% while the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rate saw a rise to 10.4% from 10.1% for the year to February. The CPIH rate, including owner-occupier housing costs, rose to 9.2% from 8.8%.

Major contributions to the upward surge came from rises in the cost of energy, food and non-alcoholic drinks, said the Office for National Statistics.