By Xavier Fontdegloria

Annual consumer-price inflation in the U.K. rose in December, data from the Office for National Statistics showed Wednesday.

Consumer prices rose 0.6% on the year in December, compared with a 0.3% rise in November. The reading matches expectations from economists polled by The Wall Street Journal.

The year-on-year acceleration in inflation was fuelled by increasing prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and recreation and culture.

Consumer prices rose 0.3% in December compared with the previous month. the data showed. The inflation rate remains well below the Bank of England's 2% target.

Write to Xavier Fontdegloria at xavier.fontdegloria@wsj.com

Corrections & Amplifications

This article was corrected at 0837 GMT because the original incorrectly said consumer prices remained flat on month. Consumer prices rose 0.3% in December compared with the previous month.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-20-21 0229ET