The official rate of inflation has jumped by its biggest monthly amount since records began more than a decade ago to hit 4.4% in July, figures have revealed.
Soaring food prices helped drive up the Consumer Prices Index from 3.8% in June to the new high last month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. The 0.6% leap was the biggest monthly jump since records began in January 1997.
The benchmark cost of living measure is now more than twice the Government's 2% target, and more than City estimates of 4.2% for July.
