Inflation jumps to five-month high as cost-of-living pressures mount

Inflation is expected to have remained at 3% in February (Alamy/PA) -

Inflation increased to a five-month-high last month on the back of rising fuel prices and air fares, mounting more pressure on the Government to ease cost-of-living concerns for UK households.

The official data comes amid warnings from economists that inflation will continue to swing higher over the coming months, with increases in interest rates also predicted.