Britain’s annual inflation rate fell more than expected in April, largely due to a drop in energy prices in the months before the Middle East war, official data showed, AFP reports.

The Consumer Prices Index rose by 2.8 per cent in the 12 months to April, down from 3.3pc in March, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement.

Analysts’ consensus forecast had been for a slowdown to 3.0pc in April.