This increase was mainly driven by soaring air fares - which jumped by 30.2% - driven by higher school holiday prices - here's why. Meanwhile, food price inflation rose to 4.9% driven by higher prices for goods including beef, instant coffee and orange juice.

British inflation hit its highest in 18 months in July when it increased to 3.8% from 3.6% in June, official data showed on Wednesday, once again leaving the country with the biggest price growth problem amongst the world's big rich economies.

Ben Plowden, chief executive of lobby group Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Today’s inflation figure could mean a big fare rise for rail passengers next year, especially if the Government decides to go with an above-inflation increase like we saw this year.