The Office for National Statistics (ONS) will shed further light on how the conflict in the Middle East is impacting the cost of living for Britons on Wednesday morning when it unveils the latest official inflation data.

Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation is expected to have risen to 3.3 per cent in March, according to a consensus of experts.

It would push inflation to its highest level since December.

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The Bank of England and most economists have indicated that price increases are set to accelerate in the coming months as the impact of the Middle East conflict feeds into the cost of products and services.

Last month, the Bank of England indicated that inflation is likely to rise to as high as 3.5 per cent by the third quarter.

Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggested spiking energy prices could help push UK inflation towards 4 per cent, double the Bank of England’s 2 per cent inflation target.

At the start of the year, the central bank had predicted that inflation would dip below the 2 per cent target in April.

However, the conflict between US-Israeli and Iranian forces since late February has led to a sharp increase in oil and gas prices, while disruption to the Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor could hit other areas.

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The latest data for March will be the first set of ONS figures to include elevated petrol and diesel costs since the start of the conflict.

RAC data from Thursday, April 16, showed that the average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts was 158.1p, 25p more expensive than when the war began on Saturday, February 28.

The average price of a litre of diesel sits at 191.2p, up 49p compared with the start of the war.

Economists at Oxford Economics said they expect the rise in pump prices to add between 0.2 and 0.3 percentage points to the rate of inflation in March.

The fuel issues also affected Oxfordshire locally, with pumps being unavailable at certain stations in the county and prices rising.

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Oxfordshire County Council leader, Councillor Liz Leffman, spoke out last week on the fuel situation in the county and wider country, describing it as a “crisis”.

This was while announcing plans for a new £5.12m support scheme for struggling residents across the county.

She said: “We know that cost of living pressures never disappeared for a lot of people, and rising fuel costs, higher food prices and increasing household bills all continue to place a strain on residents, and the impact is often felt most sharply by those already on low or fixed incomes.

“Sadly, we expect that many more households may feel the pinch again with the ongoing fuel crisis.”

The incident in question took place after a match at Banbury United on April 12 last year.

Kai Mason, 23, of Lewis Crescent, Wellington, Telford; David Swales, 43, of Marton Drive, Wellington, Telford; Ryan Corbyn, 28, of Barcombe Close, Banbury; Jordan Corbyn, 27, of Barcombe Close, Banbury; and Leighton Broom, 18, of Hodgson Road, Shifnal, Shropshire, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on April 21.

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All five pleaded not guilty to the single charge of affray.

Oxford Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

The court heard the incident took place after a football match between Banbury United and AFC Telford United which finished 0-0.

A trial date, with an estimate of five days, was set for May 8, 2028.

Judge Michael Roques said: “I’m afraid we can’t get your trial in until 2028.”

All five men were released on unconditional bail.

The 51-year-old Irish former model and actress is Jeremy Clarkson’s girlfriend and helps run the 1,000‑acre Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire.

Ms Hogan has become a fan favourite for her no‑nonsense approach on the hit series.

She previously appeared in films, including Fierce Creatures, before stepping back from acting to raise her three children.

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The 51-year-old joined Mr Clarkson on the Prime Video show when it launched in 2021 and has since taken on a leading role in the farm shop.

Announced on ITV’s This Morning, her new show Farming for Love will see her play cupid for four single farmers from across the UK who are hoping to find a partner to share both their lives and livelihoods.

Viewers were introduced to beef farmer Guy from Wiltshire, North Yorkshire widower Chris, 24‑year‑old dairy farmer Dana and Welsh farmer George, who is on the hunt for a date to his best friend’s wedding.

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Hogan urged potential contestants – or their friends and family – to apply if they fancy trading city life for the countryside, saying many farmers struggle to meet someone who understands the demands of the job.

She said the new series will show both the realities of modern farming and the search for love, building on her experience of life at Diddly Squat.

Ms Hogan will continue to appear on Clarkson’s Farm, with the first episodes of the new series five due to be released on Wednesday, June 3.