Official figures show that rising mortgage payments have driven a key measure of British inflation to its highest level for more than 15 years.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the Retail Prices Index (RPI), which includes mortgage payments, jumped to 4.6% in February from 4.2% the previous month.
That was its highest level since August 1991 and will fuel concerns that interest rates may rise again next month.
The sharp rise was caused by lenders passing January's shock quarter-point interest rate hike to homeowners, the ONS said.
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI), which is the Bank of England's official measure, also rose to 2.8% in February from 2.7%, fuelled by rising air fares, food, furniture costs and car purchases. The increase came despite falling petrol costs.
