DHAKA: UK inflation as measured by the Consumer Prices Index rose to 0.5% in March, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

A sharp increase in air fares, due to the earlier timing of Easter, was the main reason behind the rise from February’s rate of 0.3%, the ONS said, reports the BBC.

Inflation is now at its highest level since December 2014, but it remains below the Bank of England’s 2% target.

The Bank has said that it expects inflation to stay below 1% this year.

Air fares jumped by 22.9% between February and March, reflecting the earlier timing of Easter compared with last year. This, alongside, a rise in clothing and footwear prices, was the main reason for March’s increase.

However, this was partially offset by a fall in food prices and a smaller rise in petrol prices compared with March last year.

Under the separate Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure, which includes housing costs, inflation was 1.6% in March, up from 1.3% in February.

‘Dearer clothing and higher air fares, influenced by the timing of Easter, are behind the rise in CPI, which is still low by historic standards,’ said ONS statistician Phil Gooding.

BDST: 1750 HRS, APR 12, 2016
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