LONDON – Britain's annual inflation rate jumped last month partly on higher transport costs as Covid restrictions temporarily eased, official data showed today.
The rate, as measured by the UK's Consumer Prices Index, rose to 0.6% last month from 0.3% in November, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement.
Analysts' consensus forecasts had been for a rise to 0.5%.
"Transport costs... as well as petrol prices rose as some travel restrictions eased," ONS statistician Jonathan Athow said of December's inflation increase.
"These were partially offset by falling food prices," he added.
Much of the UK has, meanwhile, returned to strict lockdown measures since the start of this month to cope with an upsurge in coronavirus cases. – AFP, January 20, 2021
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