The 12 month rate of CPI inflation eased in March to 2.6% from 2.8% in February in an unexpected second consecutive monthly fall.

CPI inflation has spiked upwards for the second month in a row, to 2.6% in November, ONS reported today.

Lower fuel and transport costs helped cut CPI inflation in the 12 months to September to 1.7% from 2.2% in August.

CPI inflation unexpectedly spiked upwards last month to 2.3% from a low of 1.7% the previous month, ONS reported today.