Consumer price inflation rose 0.4% in December to 3.7% over the previous month, the Office of National Statistics reported.

December’s figure was up 0.8% year-on-year, and marks the highest level inflation reached in 2010.

Food was the biggest contributor for the increase with prices leaping 1.6% month-on-month, the largest November to December rise on record. The most significant jump came from fruit and vegetable prices.

The biggest downward pressure came from furniture and clothing. Clothing prices fell, which the ONS said traditionally happens in December, dropping 1.9%.

Furniture prices rose by 1.2% from November to December but the increase was far less than normal for the period preceding the January Sales. In 2009, furniture rose by 2.2% in December.

The Retail Price Index rate of inflation rose to 4.8% in December, up 0.1% from November.

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