The cost of living rose by 5.4% in the 12 months to December, its fastest pace for 30 years, official figures show.
Supermarket prices and clothing contributed heavily to the rise, while high-ticket imported goods such as furniture also triggered increases following a supply chain crisis.
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation jumped from 5.1% in November to 5.4% in December - the highest since March 1992, when it stood at 7.1%.
