Consumer price inflation rose by 0.5% in the year to March 2016, compared with a 0.3% rise in the year to February, the latest official figures show.
Consumer price inflation rose by 0.5% in the year to March 2016, compared with a 0.3% rise in the year to February, the latest official figures show.
The rate has increased gradually since October 2015 although is still relatively low in the historical context.
CPI statistician from the Office for National Statistics Phil Gooding said: "After an unprecedented period of CPI being close to zero, inflation has begun to rise again.
“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.”
Rises in air fares and clothing prices were the main contributors to the increase in the rate between February and March 2016.
These upward pressures were partially offset by a fall in food prices and a smaller rise in petrol prices than a year ago.
