UK consumer price inflation held steady at 2.8% for the second month running in March, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The rate - the highest level since May last year - has been driven by rises in the cost of books, DVD and digital cameras.

These rises were offset by lower inflation for petrol and diesel but economists expect pressure from food and energy prices to increase the rate over the coming year.

Tuesday’s figures from the ONS also showed that Retail Prices Index inflation, which includes housing costs, rose to 3.3% in March from 3.2% in February.

The ONS said furniture prices rose at a slower pace than a year ago while alcohol and tobacco prices fell.

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