UK inflation rises to 3.5% as food prices bite

The UK Consumer Prices Index (CPI) climbed in March as higher food and clothing prices pushed inflation up to 3.5%.

Bucking the downward trend seen for the last six months, CPI inflation rose from 3.4% the previous month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. It is the first rise since September, and comes despite a series of expected falls in recent months. Meanwhile, RPI inflation fell to 3.6% from 3.7% in February. CPI inflation had been creeping towards its 2% target until last month, with 3.4% recorded in February, down from 3.6% in January. The ONS said the largest upward pressures came from food, clothing and recreation & culture. Worryingly, the ONS said the downward press...