Business

UK inflation doubles to highest level since start of pandemic

This due to rising energy, clothing costs, says Office for National Statistics chief economist

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 19 May 2021 9:30PM

UK inflation doubles to highest level since start of pandemic — Britain’s Consumer Prices Index rate leapt to 1.5% last month, hitting the highest point since March last year, when the Covid-19 crisis erupted. – Pixabay pic, May 19, 2021

LONDON – British inflation more than doubled last month, official data showed today, driven by rising energy and clothing costs to reach the highest level since the start of the pandemic.

The Consumer Prices Index rate leapt to 1.5% last month, hitting the highest point since March last year, when the Covid-19 crisis erupted, said the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in a statement.

The upswing last month, compared to 0.7% in March, came as Britain continues its phased reopening of the economy.

“Inflation rose in April, mainly due to prices rising this year compared with the falls seen at the start of the pandemic this time last year,” said ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner.

“This was seen most clearly in household utility bills and clothing prices.

“As the price of crude oil continues to rise, this has fed through to the cost of motor fuels, which are now at their highest since January 2020.” – AFP, May 19, 2021