UK inflation down as air fares fall

Treasury jumps on data showing transport and clothing cheaper than year earlier as signs of Britain being better off within EU

UK inflation fell unexpectedly in April, with lower air fares, clothes and secondhand car prices triggering the first drop in seven months.

Britain's main measure of inflation, the consumer prices index, fell from 0.5% in March to 0.3% last month, according to the Office for National Statistics. Economists had forecast no change at 0.5%.

Related: UK inflation rate falls to 0.3% due to cheaper air fares and clothes - business live