Higher fuel prices have led to inflation rising to 3.3%, underlining the impact of conflict in the Middle East on the cost of living, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said.
The ONS said on Wednesday the Consumer Price Index had risen to 3.3% in March, up from 3% in February.
These are the first inflation figures to be released since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.
The rise has pushed inflation to its highest level since December.
Higher motor fuel was the main driver of the acceleration in inflation, increasing by 8.7% month-on-month – the largest increase since June 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: “Inflation climbed in March, largely due to increased fuel prices, which saw their largest increase for over three years.
“Air fares were another upward driver this month, alongside rising food prices.
“The only significant offset came from clothing costs, where prices rose by less than this time last year.
“The monthly cost of both raw materials for businesses and goods leaving factories rose substantially, driven by higher crude oil and petrol prices.”
Responding to the figures, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: ““This is not our war, but it is pushing up bills for families and businesses. That’s why it’s my number one priority to keep costs down.”
She pointed to cuts in energy bills and the freezing of rail fares and fuel duty as examples of how the government had helped the public.
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