The UK's annual consumer inflation decreased to 10.5% in December 2022, in line with the market forecast, according to official figures released on Wednesday.
The reading was down from 10.7% registered in November thanks to easing prices growth for transport (particularly motor fuels), clothing and footwear, and recreation and culture, said the Office for National Statistics.
On a monthly basis, the consumer prices index rose 0.4% in December 2022, versus a rise of 0.5% in December 2021.
The Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH) rose by 9.2% in the 12 months to December 2022, down from 9.3% in November.
The largest upward contributions to the annual CPIH inflation rate in December 2022 came from housing and household services (principally from electricity, gas, and other fuels), and food and non-alcoholic beverages.
On a monthly basis, CPIH rose by 0.4% in December 2022, compared with a rise of 0.5% in December 2021.
The largest downward contribution to the change in both the CPIH and CPI annual inflation rates between November and December 2022 came from transport (particularly motor fuels), clothing and footwear, and recreation and culture, with rising prices in restaurants and hotels, and food and non-alcoholic beverages making the largest partially offsetting upward contributions.
