Inflation has gone up for the first time since February 2023, prompted by rises in tobacco and alcohol prices, official figures showed.

The Office of National Statistics on Wednesday reported an increase of the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) on a monthly basis by 4 percent. Every move in the inflation rate has been receiving attention by economists and ministers alike, as the government seeks to bring the rate down to a 2 percent target.

In November, the inflation rate, which has been stubbornly high in the past two years, made a surprise drop to 3.9 percent.

Commenting on the most recent increase in the rate, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt told Sky News: “As we have seen in the U.S., France, and Germany, inflation does not fall in a straight line, but our plan is working and we should stick to it.

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