Food and energy price rises offset by fuel reductions

Higher food costs and the first energy price hike by supplier SSE were offset by a fall in fuel prices during November, the figures from the Office for National Statistics have shown.

The largest upward pressures to annual inflation came from food & non-alcoholic beverages (mainly bread, cereals and vegetables) and housing & household services (particularly domestic gas and electricity), the ONS said.

The largest downward pressures came from motor fuels and furniture, household equipment & maintenance.

Petrol prices fell by 3p to £1.35 per litre, while diesel dropped 1.5p to £1.42 per litre in November, the ONS said.