Inflation rises to 2.6%

Dearer air fares and higher gas and electricity bills pushed inflation higher. Inflation under the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rose to 2.6% in April from 2.4% the previous month. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI), which excludes housing costs and is the government’s preferred measure, also rose to 2.0% in April from 1.8% in March.