Surging fuel and food prices drove the UK inflation rate to 9.4% in June, the highest level in more than 40 years.
The consumer price index reading was higher than the 9.3% forecast, adding to pressure on the Bank of England to hike interest rates by 0.5% at its next meeting in August.
The prices of materials and fuels used by manufacturers jumped by a record 24% in the year to June, pushing up the cost of goods leaving UK factories.
