Inflation rose to 4.4% in July, up from 4.2% in June.

The Office for National Statistics said the Consumer Prices Index measure of inflation was impacted by factors including clothing and footwear as well as furniture.

The ONS said that the only significant downward pressure came from food and non-alcoholic beverages where prices, overall, rose by 0.3%, compared with a rise of 1% a year ago.

The downward effects came from a products including fish, fruit, mineral waters, soft drinks and juices.

July’s Retail Prices Index measure of inflation remained unchanged from June, at 5%.

Bank of England governor Mervyn King is writing again to the chancellor George Osborne to explain why CPI inflation remains above the 2% target rate.

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