Britain’s consumer price index rose 3.2% in November from a year earlier, down from 3.6% in October and the lowest annual rate since March, the Office for National Statistics said Wednesday.
ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said lower food prices, which typically rise at this time of year, were the main driver of the slowdown. He noted factory‑gate prices also eased, though raw material costs for businesses continued to climb.
Kris Hamer of the British Retail Consortium said extensive discounting during Black Friday promotions helped ease inflation, despite high labor and commodity costs.
Julian Jessop of the Institute of Economic Affairs cautioned that prices remain elevated, with food inflation still at 4.2%. He said aggressive discounting in clothing, footwear and household goods reflected “pre‑Budget jitters” and warned the trend may not be sustainable.