Soaring fuel prices helped to push inflation in Britain to its highest level in more than a year, official figures showed today.
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose to 1.5 per cent in May from 1.2 per cent during the previous month, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Inflation on the CPI basis was last higher in March last year when the annual rate was 1.6 per cent, the ONS added.
The key driver behind the rise was higher prices at the pumps, where a litre of petrol cost 81.8p in May - up 3.8p on a month earlier.
At the same time, fuel prices fell significantly a year ago in the wake of the Iraq war. Overall, fuel prices added 0.2 per cent to the rate of inflation in May.
Transport costs were also boosted by seasonal price increases in airfares, which fell a year ago due to the timing of Easter.
The jump in inflation was in line with the expectations of economists, who believe further rises are likely in the next few months.
Food provided the greatest downward pressure, with prices rising by less than a year ago, helped by reductions in the cost of fish, poultry and cakes. Promotional deals on furniture and home furnishings such as carpets also restrained the rise in inflation, the ONS said.