Covid-19: Face coverings on London transport and price rises speed up

The UK inflation rate has risen above most economists’ forecasts, by hitting 2.5% in the year to June – 0.3% higher than they predicted. Price increases for food, clothing and footwear and the demand for second hand cars have contributed to the rise, which is the highest for nearly three years and comes as the unlocking of the UK economy continues. The Consumer Prices Index measure of inflation rose from 2.1% in May, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said, driven by higher food and energy costs. “Some of the increase is from temporary effects, for example, rising fuel prices, which continue to increase inflation, but much of this is due to prices recovering from lows earlier in the pandemic,” says ONS deputy national statistician for economic statistics, Jonathan Athow.