UK inflation unchanged at 2.7% in November (BBC)

UK inflation as measured by the consumer prices index (CPI) remained unchanged at 2.7% in November.

The CPI rate had jumped from 2.2% to 2.7% in October, a much bigger rise than had been expected.

Retail prices index (RPI) inflation, which includes housing costs, fell to 3% last month, the Office for National Statistics said, from 3.2% in October.

The fastest price rises were seem in the cost of fruit, bread and cereals, as well as increases in energy bills.

However, transport costs - specifically petrol and diesel prices, and plane tickets - fell in November from a month earlier. Carpet prices also fell, as did the cost of beer.

Inflation is expected to creep up further next year as further increases in electricity and gas prices take effect.