UK inflation falls to 1.5% as stay-away shoppers shun spring clothing

Coronavirus lockdown causes fashion prices to decline for only second time since 1988

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Falling demand for clothes as shoppers stayed away from the high street in March amid the unfolding coronavirus crisis has pushed down UK inflation, according to official figures.

Highlighting the economic fallout from the global health emergency, the Office for National Statistics said the consumer price index (CPI) fell to 1.5% last month, from 1.7% in February, driven down by clothing costs and the plummeting global oil price.