Inflation has been falling for the second consecutive month

In general, transport costs are now growing more slowly than before the war in Ukraine and have been falling for six months.

Flying, however, became much more expensive, increasing by 44.1 percent in the year to December. This is the largest increase since at least January 1989.

There is little sign of respite for shoppers as food prices continue to rise sharply and remain at their highest level in 45 years.

In the 12 months to December, using a more detailed measure of inflation that includes housing costs, they reached 16.9 percent. This is an increase from 16.5 percent in November, making it the seventeenth consecutive increase since July 2021.

The last time food prices grew faster was in September 1977, by 17.6 percent. Milk, cheese and eggs rose in price the most, where prices rose by 4.1 percent from November to December alone.

Products such as sugar, chocolate and soft drinks also rose in price, while bread and cereals grew more slowly.

The high headline inflation numbers reinforce the challenge facing policymakers trying to prevent spiraling price increases from taking hold.

Inflation, measured by the consumer price index (CPI), is still five times higher Bank of England target 2pcwhile the retail price index (RPI) stood at 13.4 percent in December.