Core consumer prices in the United Kingdom fell sharply in January 2026, with the month-on-month Core CPI dropping to -0.6%, according to data updated on 18 February 2026. This marks a significant reversal from December 2025, when core prices rose 0.3% compared with the previous month.
The swing from positive to negative territory on a month-over-month basis suggests a notable easing in underlying inflationary pressures at the start of the year. As Core CPI excludes volatile items such as food and energy, the decline points to broader softness in price growth across the economy.
The comparison is based on monthly changes: January 2026’s reading reflects the change from December 2025, while the previous figure captures December’s change relative to November 2025. Market participants and policymakers will be closely watching subsequent releases to assess whether this drop signals a temporary correction or the start of a more persistent disinflationary trend in the UK.
