Inflation rises
Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation rose to 1.2% in December, up from 0.9%, bringing it closer to levels seen since the start of the first lockdown. Since April, annual RPI figures have ranged between 0.5% and 1.5%, averaging 1.1%.
CPIH (including owner-occupier housing costs) rose slightly from 0.6% to 0.8%. Rising transport, clothing, recreation and culture prices helped the increase, offset partly by falling food prices.