Inflation hits 10-year high as fuel, fashion and food prices surge

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Inflation rose to 5.1% last month, hitting a fresh decade high as the cost of living squeeze on households intensified.

The consumer prices index (CPI) measure of inflation in November was up from 4.2% in October and well ahead of expectations that it would hit 4.7%. It has not been higher since September 2011.

It comes a day ahead of the Bank of England’s latest decision on whether to hike interest rates – and pushed the pound higher against the dollar as markets bet that it would now have to act.

The Bank is under pressure to raise rates to curb spiralling prices but reluctant to jeopardise an economic recovery already stuttering even before the arrival of the Omicron variant – and the restrictions designed to tackle its spread.

The inflation figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) crystallise some of the pressure facing households as the UK heads into another COVID-afflicted festive period and Boris Johnson’s government weathers a political battering.

Experts had expected inflation to head north of 5% – but not until next spring.

ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: “A wide range of price rises contributed to another steep rise in inflation, which now stands at its highest rate for over a decade.”

The data pointed to increases across a broad range of categories including fuel – which hit a record high in November – as well as fashion, food and second-hand cars.

Meanwhile, the costs of goods produced by factories and the price of raw materials – factors likely to put further pressure on consumer prices in the months ahead – are also surging, hitting the highest rate for at least 12 years, the ONS said.