Inflation rose sharply in December

Annual consumer price inflation rose to 3.7% on an annualised basis in December as rising commodity costs pushed up prices.

The rise from a rate of 3.3% in November was bigger than had been expected and is the latest in a series of data demonstrating the influence of rising commodity prices and other upward pressures.

The ONS said that higher air fares, food, fuels were among the biggest upward pressures on inflation. Gas tariff hikes announced by the energy suppliers last year also made a large contribution.

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