UK inflation rate rises to 1.8% in April

The UK inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index, rose to 1.8% in April from 1.6% in March, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The rate of inflation as measured by the Retail Prices Index (RPI) was unchanged at 2.5%, the ONS said.

The ONS said the timing of Easter was likely to have had an impact on inflation last month, noting that both air and sea fares were higher during the Easter holidays which fell in April this year and in March last year.

Ben Thompson analyses the rise in inflation.