Prices rise as inflation hits one per cent

The rate of Consumer Price Index inflation rose to 1% in July from 0.6% in June, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

Jonathan Athow, deputy national statistician for economic statistics at the ONS, said: “Inflation has risen, in part, due to the largest monthly pump price increase in nearly a decade, as international oil prices rose from their lows earlier this year.

“The largest upward movement came from clothing where prices fell on the month but by less than a year ago, partly due to different sales patterns throughout the year so far.

“In addition, prices for private dental treatment, physiotherapy and haircuts have increased with the need for PPE contributing to costs for these businesses.

“Our new experimental numbers, taking into account changing spending patterns throughout the pandemic, show prices rising only a little higher than our headline inflation figures.”

July’s Retail Prices Index measure of inflation, which is used to set the cap on annual rail season ticket price rises in Britain, was 1.6%, the Office for National Statistics said.