Consumer price inflation in the United Kingdom hit 5.1 percent in the 12 months to November, the highest rate since September 2011, according to Office for National Statistics statistics released Wednesday.

In October, the same measure of inflation was 4.2 percent, with fuel and retail products driving the "widespread" increase. Prices at hotels and restaurants fell during the period.

"A variety of price increases contributed to another sharp increase in inflation, which is now at its highest level in more than a decade "Grant Fitzner, Chief Economist at the ONS, stated. "The costs of manufactured goods and raw materials have continued to rise significantly, reaching their highest level in at least twelve years," he noted.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak stated, "We are well aware of the difficulties that rising inflation can present for families and households," referring to government assistance for the vulnerable throughout the winter.

Labour chastised Sunak for failing to do enough to assist the poor and enhance performance in light of Wednesday's figures. "From the lifting of the energy price cap to soaring food prices and another record high in fuel prices, the list of price squeezes as inflation continues to rise goes on and on," said Pat McFadden, shadow economic secretary to the Treasury. "Instead of acting, the government is looking the other way, blaming 'global problems,' while trapping us in a cycle of high taxes and low growth."

The spike in inflation was greater than anticipated by financial analysts and comes only one day before the Bank of England announces its next interest rate decision.

If not for a fast-spreading form of the coronavirus known as Omicron, a rate hike would be imminent to bring inflation closer to the Bank of England's target of 2%.

However, uncertainty over the virus's possible impacts casts doubt on the central bank's willingness to intervene.