The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH, not a National Statistic) 12-month inflation rate was 2.3% in March 2017, unchanged from February.

The rate has been steadily increasing following a period of relatively low inflation in 2015.

Rising prices for food, alcohol and tobacco, clothing and footwear, miscellaneous goods and services were the main upward contributors to change in the rate.

These were largely offset by a downward contribution from transport, particularly air fares and, to a lesser extent, motor fuels.

The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) 12-month rate was also 2.3% in March 2017, unchanged from February.