Consumer Price Index annual inflation was 4.4% in July, up from 4.2% in June, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
The increase is due to rising prices in a number of areas, said the report, including financial services and clothing and footwear.

Prices for furniture, household equipment and maintenance, which usually fall between June and July due to the sales season, also fell by less this year (-1.1%) than a year ago (-1.9). The most notable upward effects came from most types of furniture and furnishings, and household textiles, said the ONS.

The only large downward pressure to the change in CPI inflation during the period came from food and non-alcoholic beverages, where prices rose by 0.3% overall, compared with a rise of 1% a year ago.

In the year to July, Retail Price Index annual inflation was 5%, unchanged from June.