British inflation falls to 4.1 pc in November: official data

LONDON: British 12-month inflation fell by less than expected to 4.1 percent in November from 4.5 percent in October as fuel prices sank, official data showed on Tuesday.

"Consumer Prices Index (CPI) annual inflation - the government's target measure - was 4.1 per cent in November," the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement.

Market expectations had been for a sharper drop to 3.9 percent. CPI annual inflation had surged to a 16-year high point of 5.2 percent in September.

"The largest downward pressure on the CPI annual rate came from transport costs where the price of fuels and lubricants fell this year but rose a year ago," the ONS said on Tuesday.

"There was a further large downward pressure from housing and household services due to heating oil prices falling this year but rising a year ago, reflecting movements in the price of crude oil."

The ONS added that Britain's consumer prices index had fallen by 0.1 percent in November on a monthly basis from October. Market expectations had been a steeper drop of 0.3 percent.