UK inflation to hit a two-year high

Sterling's weakness since Brexit vote is pushing up prices of fuel, food and clothes, official figures to show

Inflation is set to hit its highest level in more than two years this week, according to economists, as the sharp drop in sterling since the referendum fuels a rise in the cost of living.

Official figures due to be published on Tuesday are expected to show that fuel, food, air fares and clothing prices have driven the headline rate to 1.4% in December, from 1.2% in November. If economists polled by Reuters are correct, the rate would be the highest since August 2014, when the consumer prices index was 1.5%.