Price of night out surges before Christmas as inflation hits 10.7% - but petrol drops

Inflation in the UK has dipped slightly to 10.7% in the 12 months to November, largely thanks to lower petrol prices.

This is down from last month's Consumer Price Index (CPI) figure, which stood at a 41-year high of 11.1%.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has broken down the figures behind the slight drop - and the things going up in price.

The ONS says the decline follows the falling price of petrol and diesel. Petrol and diesel prices stood at 163.6p and 187.9p per litre respectively last month.

Fuel prices rose by 17.2% in the year to November - down from 22.2% the previous month.

Inflation in the UK has dipped slightly to 10.7% (Press Association Images)

But the cost of going out became more expensive last month, with the ONS noting a rise in the cost of alcohol in restaurants, cafes and pubs.

Inflation in this particular sector of hospitality was running at its highest level since 1991, at 10.2%.

Households also remain under pressure due to soaring food prices and energy bills. Housing and household services, primarily from electricity, gas, and other fuels, remained high, up 26.6%.

It comes as the Energy Price Guarantee, which kicked off in October, “froze” energy bills for the typical household at £2,500 a year.

The EPG was brought about to protect households from an energy bill rise of 80% from £1,971 to £3,549, which would have come into place in October.

But it isn't a total cap on your energy bill, and instead places limits on unit rates and standing charges. This means if you use more energy, you’ll pay more than the £2,500.

What is rising in price the most?

How prices are changing, according to the ONS:

• Housing and household services: (+26.6%)
  
• Food and non-alcoholic beverages: (+16.4%)
• Furniture and household goods: (+10.7%)
  
• Restaurants and hotels: (+10.2%)
  
• Miscellaneous goods and services: (+5.4%)
• Clothing and footwear: (+7.5%)
  
• Transport: (+7.2%)
  
• Health: (+4.8%)
  
• Alcohol and tobacco: (+4.1%)
• Education: (+3.2%)
• Recreation and culture: (+5.3%)
  
• Communication: (+2.6%)

Food and drink prices rise further - and remain at highest level in 45 years

Last month, food and non-alcoholic drink prices rose by 16.4% - a figure that the ONS says this was the highest since September 1977, or 45 years.

In November, this rose slightly to to 16.5%, with prices steadily rising due to the Ukraine war pushing up costs of animal feed, fertiliser and vegetable oil.

The knock on effect of higher energy bills for retailers, as well as increasing wages, means that customers are having to fork out extra on their food shops.

The cost of low-fat milk rose by 45.3% since last November, pasta costs 36.8% more, and margarine rose by 33.9%.

Butter has also increased by 28%, bread prices rose by 20%, eggs by 23.%, and fish costs 16% more.

Food and drink prices have risen from last month (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Here is a full breakdown, with the figure showing the percentage change in the average price over the 12 months to November 2022:

• Rice (+11.5%)
• Bread (+20.0%)
• Pasta products and couscous (+36.8%)
• Breakfast cereals and other cereal products (+7.0%)
• Meat (+16.5%)
• Poultry (+19.7%)
• Fish (+16.0%)
• Milk, low fat (+45.3%)
  
• Yoghurt (+13.4%)
• Cheese and curd (+28.3%)
• Eggs (+23.5%)
• Oils and fats (+29.1%)
• Butter (+28.4%)
• Margarine and other vegetable fats (+33.9%)
• Olive oil (+25.2%)
• Fruit (+8.0%)
• Fresh or chilled vegetables other than potatoes (+13.0%)
• Potatoes (+17.8%)
  
• Crisps (+15.7%)
• Sugar (+20.6%)
  
• Chocolate (+6.3%)
  
• Confectionery (+7.0%)