UK inflation in surprise rise to 2.6 percent

(AP) Official figures show that Britain's benchmark inflation rate unexpectedly rose in July, following a run of declines.

The Office for National Statistics said Tuesday that consumer price inflation rose from 2.4 percent in June to 2.6 percent in July. The market consensus was that inflation would fall to 2.3 percent.

It said airfares, clothing and footwear were largely behind the increase.

The government's official target is to hold consumer price inflation at around 2 percent. The rate has declined from a peak of 5.2 percent in September.