The annual rate of inflation shot up to a fresh 30-year high of 7% in March reflecting, for the first time, the immediate effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The largest contributors to growing inflation were increased fuel prices and energy bills, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The consumer prices index (CPI) rose from 6.2% in February and was higher than expected, with economists having predicted a rate of 6.7%.

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