UK inflation rose to 3.4% in December, ending a five-month period of decline and coming in slightly higher than economists had expected. The increase highlights the uneven progress in bringing price pressures back under control, even as some costs continue to ease.

The main drivers behind the rise were higher tobacco prices and increased airfares. A rise in tobacco duties pushed up cigarette prices, while airline ticket costs jumped during the busy holiday travel period. Together, these factors made a noticeable contribution to the overall inflation rate.

Food prices also added to inflationary pressure. While the pace of food price growth has slowed compared with previous years, costs for everyday items such as bread, cereals and vegetables continued to rise, putting additional strain on household budgets. Some categories, including certain goods and services, saw more stable or falling prices, which helped prevent a sharper increase in inflation.

Compared with several other major European economies, the UK’s inflation rate remains relatively high, underlining the challenges facing policymakers. The Bank of England, which had already begun to ease interest rates toward the end of last year, is now under pressure to carefully balance the need to support economic growth while ensuring inflation does not become entrenched.

Looking ahead, economists expect inflation to gradually fall again over the coming months, but warn that progress may be uneven. Global energy prices, tax changes and seasonal factors could all continue to influence short-term movements. The government has reiterated that reducing the cost of living remains a key priority, while critics argue that households are still feeling the effects of prolonged price pressures.