Inflation rate is pushed up

Higher food prices and dear clothing and footwear pushed inflation higher. Under the Retail Prices Index (RPI), the rate of inflation was up to 4.7% in November, against 4.5% the previous month. The RPI figure is often used in pay negotiations.

Under the government's preferred measure - the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) - inflation also rose and was up to 3.3% from 3.2% the previous month.