Annual increase in November driven by rising cost of petrol and groceries and hike in tobacco duty in budget

• Business live – latest updates

UK inflation has risen to its highest level in eight months, adding to pressure on the Bank of England to keep interest rates unchanged on Thursday despite a slowdown in the British economy.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the consumer prices index (CPI) rose by 2.6% last month from 2.3% in October, driven by the rising cost of petrol, groceries and an increase in tobacco duty in the budget.