During Wednesday’s (January 15) instalment of the BBC morning show, the duo revealed that inflation has risen by 2.5 percent in the 12 months to December 2024, down from 2.6 percent in November 2024.
Speaking to viewers watching at home, Nina said: “In the last few moments The Office for National Statistics has published the latest inflation figures. It comes as the Government faces scrutiny over its handling of the economy.”
Roger continued: “The rate of inflation is 2.5% in the 12 months to December, that’s down 2.6% in November so a slight drop.”
Co-star Ben Boulos, who was also in the studio, explained: “This doesn’t mean the prices are falling, they are just rising a little less quickly than they were in November,” reports the Express.
He continued: “The biggest contributor to that slow down in price rises was restaurants and hotels and according to The Office for National Statistics one of the biggest effects came from transport costs.
Ben Boulos gave an update on inflation in the UK
(Image: (Image: BBC))
“The rate of price rises is still above what the Bank of England would like it to be so it’ll be weighing this up on its next decision on interest rates but remember that affects the rate when borrowing not just for the Government but for people with mortgages, loans and credit cards.”
Grant Fitzner, the chief economist at ONS, commented: “Inflation eased very slightly as hotel prices dipped this month, but rose a year ago. The cost of tobacco was another downward driver, as prices increased by less than this time last year. This was partly offset by the cost of fuel and also second-hand cars, which saw their first annual growth since July 2023.”
BBC audiences quickly took to social media to express their thoughts. One disgruntled viewer posted: “It didn’t rise by 2.5%; it fell by 0.1%! Get it right!”
Another noted with frustration: “It did not rise. It fell. BBC hopelessly biased.” Echoing the sentiment, another comment read: “This is misleading the rate of inflation actually fell. .
Meanwhile, someone else chimed in with a different take: “@BBCBreakfast I bet the BOE hold interests rates which is good for savers and harder for mortgages and loans.”