UK inflation rises as price of food and furniture increases

Consumer prices index rose to 0.7% in January, says ONS

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Rising food prices drove up inflation in January during the toughest coronavirus lockdown measures since the first wave of the pandemic.

The Office for National Statistics said the consumer prices index rose to 0.7% in January - from 0.6% a month earlier - as shops including food retailers and household goods stores pushed up their prices with less discounting this year on items such as beds and settees.

Related: Retailers call for more Covid help after 22bn loss in non-food sales