UK inflation hits nearly six-year high of 3.1 percent, oil puts more pressure on factories

British inflation unexpectedly rose to its highest level in nearly six years in November, tightening the post-Brexit vote squeeze on households whose spending is the main driver of the country’s economy.

Consumer price inflation hit an annual rate of 3.1 percent in November, pushed up by airfares, computer games and the price of chocolate as food costs reflected the impact of the pound’s plunge after last year’s vote to leave the European Union.

That was up from 3.0 percent in October and above economists’ average expectation in a Reuters poll for another 3.0 percent rise.

There were also signs that factories were facing a resumption of price pressure as global oil prices rose.

An increase in prices for computer games also pushed up inflation.

The ONS also said house prices in October rose by 4.5 percent annually across the United Kingdom as a whole compared with 4.8 percent in September. Prices in London alone rose by 2.1 percent, the weakest increase since March.