British consumer confidence remained stuck at its joint-lowest level since 2013 in November as uncertainty around the Dec. 12 election and Brexit weighed on households, a survey showed on Friday.

Neither of Britain's two main political parties are going into next month's election with credible tax and spending plans, a leading think tank said on Thursday.

British automotive output dropped by an annual 4% in October, the 16th month out of the last 17 to record a fall, as demand from both domestic and overseas buyers decreased, according to a trade body.

Profits at British professional and business services firms dropped by the most since 2011 for a second quarter running and businesses are cutting back on investment, the Confederation of British Industry said on Thursday.

British house prices rose more than expected in November, according to figures from mortgage lender Nationwide, suggesting next month's national election was not putting further pressure on the market which remains sluggish.

British retailers saw a stronger-than-expected improvement in sales in November and are more upbeat about the month ahead, which includes the key Christmas season, an industry survey showed on Monday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, facing a Dec. 12 election, promised 23.5 billion pounds of "sensible" tax cuts and extra day-to-day spending which he sought to contrast with the opposition Labour Party's much more radical plans.

With harsh lessons learnt from past Black Fridays, British retailers are stretching promotions over several weeks, aiming to smooth out consumer demand and reduce the pressure on supply and distribution networks.

British business suffered its deepest downturn since mid-2016 this month as the approach of a national election exacerbated uncertainty about Brexit, according to a survey which augured badly for the economy.

Foreign buyers of English properties will have to pay a levy of 3% of the purchase value under plans put forward by Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Conservatives on Friday, aimed at deterring wealthy investors from driving up house prices.