The ONS reported the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) grew by 1.8% in the year to April 2014, up from 1.6% in March. This is the first rise since last summer.
Rising transport costs, notably air fares, sea fares, and motor fuels, provided the largest contribution to the rise in the rate.
Prices for clothing and footwear also played a part in the increase in the rate of inflation, with reports of recoveries from sales and price increases across a number of retailers.
An overall fall in the price of food was the largest offsetting factor.
The timing of Easter is likely to have had an impact on the index – most notably for air fares and sea fares, the ONS said.
CPIH, which includes the costs faced by owner occupiers, grew by 1.6% in the year to April 2014, up from 1.5% in March. RPIJ, a version of the Retail Prices Index which meets international standards, grew by 1.8%, unchanged from March.
