Labelled ‘Awful April’, the fallout from massive hikes in bills brought inflation to 3.5% as water companies raised prices by percentages not seen since 1988 and mobile bills shot up 7%.

After consistent declines in inflation since the beginning of year from 3% in January down to 2.6% last month, April’s figure rose to 3.5%, largely due to increases in utility bills and transport.

The 12-month inflation rate for housing and household services in April rose to 7%, up from 5.1% in March, while on a monthly basis the figure rose by 1.8%. This time last year it fell by 0.1%.