Why is inflation in the UK worse than in other major economies?

While the rate has fallen from its October peak of 11.1%, the figure for May remains stubbornly high

UK inflation remained stubbornly high in May at 8.7% - the same as the previous month - despite a string of forecasts earlier this year predicting a sharp fall in response to tumbling energy prices.

Official figures had been expected to show that the UK's consumer prices index (CPI) eased slightly last month, to 8.4%. But unlike almost everywhere else in the world, that didn't happen.