Inflation was also pushed higher by higher private school fees, following the Labour Government’s move to apply 20% VAT to private school education and boarding fees.
Business chiefs have slammed Ms Reeves’ Autumn Budget of £40 billion of tax hikes, including £25 billion on employers National Insurance, £30 billion more borrowing, to invest £70 billion in Britain’s broken public services including the ailing NHS, overcrowded jails and crumbling schools.
But Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride said: “Today’s inflation figures mean further pain for family finances - and it’s thanks to the Labour Chancellor’s record tax hikes and inflation busting pay rises.
Many firms are also seeing their payroll bills jump as the National Living Wage increases to £12.21 in April, with some saying they are having to cut jobs due to the NI hike and wage increases.
ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: “Inflation increased sharply this month to its highest annual rate since March last year.
