Petrol prices raise RPI

The headline rate of inflation, as measured by the retail price index (RPI), rose to 3.2% in November from 3.1% the previous month. A two pence a litre rise in the price of petrol contributed most to the increase in contrast to falls last year.

The government's preferred measure, which excludes mortgage interest payments, rose to 2.2% in November. But that it is still well within its target of 2.5%.