UK inflation dipped by more than expected last month following October’s 41-year high, but sky-high food and energy costs have kept up the pressure on households.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell to 10.7% in November, from 11.1% in October.
This marks a decline from the 11.1% seen in October, when soaring bills sent inflation to its highest level since October 1981.
Although experts believe October was the peak for inflation, food prices are still surging and increased by 16.4% on an annual basis last month.
Meanwhile, power costs remain high despite government support which aims to limit the annual bill to around £2500.
Commenting on the latest figures, Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham said workers are facing a “bleak midwinter”.
She said: “Although the inflation rate has eased very slightly, the cost of living is still close to a 40 year high.
“The latest figures again confirm that workers face a bleak midwinter. With the Government essentially calling for a national pay cut, wages still trail behind price rises.
“Families and communities are being set up to pay the price of a crisis not of their making. Different choices can and must be made.
“Unite will continue to use all its might to fight for workers and win decent pay rises. This out of touch government is on a collision course with everyday people and Unite stands ready to defend workers by all and every means.”
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said inflation is “the number one enemy”.
He said: “The aftershocks of Covid-19 and (Vladimir) Putin’s weaponisation of gas mean high inflation is plaguing economies across Europe, and I know families and businesses are struggling here in the UK.
“Getting inflation down so people’s wages go further is my top priority, which is why we are holding down energy bills this winter through our energy price guarantee scheme and implementing a plan to help halve inflation next year.
“I know it is tough for many right now but it is vital that we take the tough decisions needed to tackle inflation – the number one enemy that makes everyone poorer.”
The ONS data said prices at the fuel pumps were among the biggest driver of falling inflation, with petrol unchanged between October and November this year, at 163.6p a litre on average, but rising by 7.2p a litre a year earlier.
ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: “Although still at historically high levels, annual inflation eased slightly in November.
“Prices are still rising, but by less than this time last year, with the most notable example of this being motor fuels.
“Tobacco and clothing prices also rose, but again by less than we saw this time last year.
“This was partially offset by prices in restaurants, cafes and pubs, which went up this year compared to falling a year ago.”
