Britain’s inflation rate fell for a third consecutive month in January, boosting optimism that the cost-of-living crisis has peaked and prices will fall sharply later this year.
Inflation eased to 10.1 per cent in the 12 months through January, from 10.5 per cent a month earlier, the Office for National Statistics said Wednesday. The consumer prices index peaked at 11.1 per cent in October.

The Bank of England forecasts prices will fall rapidly in the second half of this year as energy costs begin to moderate and price increases triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drop out of inflation calculations. But the figures offer no immediate relief to consumers squeezed by inflation that remains at levels last seen in the early 1980s. The country has been gripped by a wave of strikes in recent weeks as public sector workers ranging from train drivers to teachers, nurses and paramedics demand higher wages.

“Another fall in inflation over January suggests that the tide is turning on price pressures,” said Alpesh Paleja, lead economist for the Confederation of British Industry. “But with inflation and pipeline cost pressures set to remain high this year, households and businesses are likely to feel the pain for a while yet.” While declines in the cost of transportation, clothing and restaurant meals helped push inflation lower last month, consumers are still struggling with rising food and energy prices.

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Food prices rose 16.8 per cent in the year through January, easing slightly from the 16.9 per cent figure reported a month earlier. Housing costs, which include gas and electricity, increased by 11.8 per cent.