LONDON: Prices in United Kingdom shops rose in March at the fastest annual pace since September 2011, adding to the cost of living squeeze facing consumers.

       The report by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) suggested that the war in Ukraine was now amplifying already surging inflation via higher commodity and transport costs.

       That will dampen consumer confidence further, the BRC said.

       The findings posed a headache for the Bank of England, which is having to find a balance between restraining the fastest inflation in 30 years and averting a consumer-driven recession.

       They may also fan criticism of Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, accused by analysts, lobby groups and political opponents of not doing enough in his mini-budget last week to protect the most vulnerable.

       The BRC said shop-price inflation accelerated to 2.1% in March from 1.8% in February.

       The official consumer-price inflation rate, which includes services and covers a wider range of goods, is already above 6% and forecast to hit double digits later this year as energy costs surge.

       “There have been mounting cost pressures throughout the supply chain for some time, including rising wages, input costs, global commodity prices, energy and transport,” said Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC. — Bloomberg