Inflation in Britain rose to 4% unexpectedly last December of 2023 rising from 3.9% as it was anticipated to fall to 3.8% in the same month and end of 2023. The small unexpected increase was found to be owing to tobacco duty and excise and alcohol tax and the increase of the price of tobacco products that the Chancellor announced last November.
The rise is not attributed to the diversions imposed on ships through the Red Sea because of the Yemen Houti rebels sabotaging Western trade passing through the Persian Gulf since the effects would not have been yet calculated. However, inflation on food products decreased to 8% from 9.2% in the same month of December.
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt increased prices on tobacco products by approximately 5% last November following the scheme of adding 2% to the current inflation, and was surprised to see the overall December inflation rate representing this along with economic analysts. As a result a packet of 20 cigarettes now costs from £11.70 to £14 in England with a base average of £12.
Bring Back Smoking Freedom 