The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) jumped to 3.5% in April from 2.6% in March as a swathe of price increases on everything from energy prices to council tax and private school fees kicked in.

CPI inflation dipped to 2.8% in February in a boost for the Chancellor who will today present her Spring Statement in the commons.

CPI inflation remained at 2.2% in August, unchanged from the previous month.