Figures released by Treasury show the retail price index rose to 2.9 per cent in June, up from 2.4 per cent the previous month.
When housing costs are removed, the RPI rose from 1.9 to 2.4 per cent.
Among categories measured by the index, the highest price rise is shown in household goods, where costs rose by 2.2 per cent month-on-month.
At the other end of the scale, clothing and footwear costs fell sharply - by more than six and a half per cent in June.
Over the past 12 months, inflation has been highest in the tobacco, fares and travel, food and catering categories.
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