UK inflation down to 2.5% in December

ISTANBUL

The UK’s annual inflation rate fell to 2.5% in December, slightly down from November's 2.6%, according to data released on Wednesday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This figure was below the market forecast of 2.6%.

The primary upward contributors to the figure were communication and miscellaneous goods and services.

Transport expenses declined by 0.6% year-on-year in December, improving from a more significant 0.9% drop in November.

Meanwhile, prices for recreation and culture rose by 3.4% annually, decelerating from 3.6% in November.

Restaurants and hotel expenses increased by 3.4% year-on-year, down from November's 4.0%.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile items like energy, food, alcohol, and tobacco, rose 3.2% annually in December, down from 3.5% in November.

On a monthly basis, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 0.3% in December, accelerating from 0.1% in the previous month.