UK’s inflation surges to a 17-month high in April
18 May 2010
UK's inflation surged to a 17-month high in April to 3.7 per cent, as food and petrol prices rose and higher cost of imported goods as pound weakened, official data showed today.
The UK consumer prices index was the highest since November 2008.
The rising petrol costs and big rises in tax on alcohol and tobacco were the main cause of rise of CPI from 3.4 per cent last month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Higher prices for clothing and footwear as of last year also added to the increase in the CPI rate.
The food, drink and clothing component contributed to 0.3 percentage points to the CPI, said ONS.
The inflation data showed annual food inflation touched 2.6 percent last month, the highest since July 2009. The price of meat, fruit and vegetables rose as of falling costs a year ago.
