The rate of retail price inflation edged up to 3.1% in December from 3% in November, figures from the Office for National Statistics released today have shown.

The Retail Price Index, which includes housing costs, rose marginally in December.

UK consumer prices inflation held steady at 2.7% in December.

The ONS said the largest upward pressure came from the price increases in gas and electricity bills. In clothing, upward pressure came from jackets, coats and trousers.

Transport price inflation eased in 2012 with a 0.7% year-on-year rise in November and December as opposed to a 2.2% rate in the same months of 2011.