Mark Carney off the hook as inflation rise is less than expected

Experts say June figure will represent peak and is likely to fall back to 2 per cent target by end of year

Rising prices at fuel pumps contributed to a surge in June inflation (Susannah Ireland)

Bank of England Governor Mark Carney today avoided an embarrassing letter to explain away soaring prices just weeks into his new job after a smaller-than-feared rise in the cost of living during June.

The Consumer Prices Index rose further above the Bank’s 2% target last month, increasing from 2.7% to 2.9% as higher petrol costs contrasted with steep falls a year earlier, and clothing stores cut prices less sharply than last year.

Inflation remains at a 14-month high, but is still below the 3.1% level at which the Governor is forced to write an open letter to the Chancellor to explain the rise. The increase was lower than City economists had expected, sending the pound down towards $1.50 against the dollar and edging gilt prices higher as traders bet that Carney has more room to fire up the economy with additional money-printing. He is also expected to introduce guidance on interest rates in August.

Berenberg chief economist Rob Wood said: “Presentationally, the surprise today is more important. With no letter required, it makes it marginally easier to introduce more formal forward guidance at the next policy meeting.”

The Office for National Statistics’ figures showed petrol prices up 1p a litre to £1.34 in June, against a 4.3p fall a year earlier. Retailers last year slashed prices by a record 4.2% amid panic over wet weather, but last month discounts were a shallower 1.9%.

However, the cost of living is still more than double the average rise in UK wages, delivering a real-terms pay cut for millions. Oil prices have pushed higher amid Egyptian turmoil, and the pound has also lost ground against the dollar, pushing up input costs and factory gate prices for manufacturers.

Moody’s Analytics’ Melanie Bowler said: “Households are particularly sensitive to rising petrol prices, which could follow the recent rise in Brent crude. Further depreciation of the pound also risks importing higher prices, as dollar-denominated commodities become more expensive.”

Carney’s better run of economic news looks likely to continue next week with the British economy on course for growth of around 0.6% between April and June.