U.K. inflation rose to 2.9 percent in June on higher motor fuel and clothing and footwear charges, data from the Office for National Statistics showed Tuesday. It was the fastest since April 2012.

Although the rate exceeded the 2.7 percent seen in May, it stayed marginally below the expected rate of 3 percent. Month-on-month, consumer prices fell 0.2 percent, offsetting the 0.2 percent increase in the prior month.

CPIH, the new measure of consumer price inflation including owner occupiers' housing costs, grew 2.7 percent in June, up from 2.5 percent in May.

Consumer prices excluding energy, food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, rose 2.3 percent, in line with forecast, but slightly faster than the 2.2 percent increase registered in May.

Retail price inflation also increased in June, to 3.3 percent from 3.1 percent in the previous month. On a monthly basis, it was down 0.2 percent.