UK inflation accelerates to 4.4% in July

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said price increases across the housing & housing services, goods & services and clothing & footwear sectors were responsible for the increase. Last month's increase follows an unexpected easing of CPI in June, from 4.5% to 4.2%. RPI inflation was unchanged at 5% for the month. Particular pressures came from rising mortgage arrangement fees, increases in housing rent - particularly for social housing - and the higher cost of home furnishings and textiles. "The rise in inflation was primarily driven by a rise in core inflation from 2.8% to 3....