London CNN —UK inflation accelerated in December for the first time since February last year, official data showed Wednesday. Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy prices, remained stuck at 5.1%, while services inflation increased from 6.3% to 6.4%. The UK data mirrors the trend in the United States and Europe of slight upticks in headline inflation. Energy prices could also rise if the conflict in the Middle East escalates further. Still, several leading UK economists shrugged off the latest increase in inflation, noting that inflation could return to the Bank of England’s 2% target by the spring, helped by recent falls in energy prices.

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Persons: Grant Fitzner, shrugged, ”, Roger Barker, Yael Selfin Organizations: London CNN —, National Statistics, Reuters, US Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of England’s, Institute of, KPMG, Bank of England Locations: United States, Europe, Red