Energy price rises help drive UK inflation up to 2.7%

Increases in clothing, car tax and air fares also blamed as pressure grows on living standards and consumer spending

The rising cost of electricity contributed to inflation's rise to 2.7% in April, its highest level in three and a half years.

Increases in the cost of clothing, car tax and air fares were also blamed by the Office for National Statistics for the rise in consumer price inflation (CPI) that exceeded City forecasts of 2.6%, and soared above the previous month's figure of 2.3%.

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