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Inflation: Cost of living rises at fastest pace for 30 years Inflation: Cost of living rises at fastest pace for 30 years
(about 1 hour later)
Soaring food costs and the energy bill crisis are driving consumer prices up at their fastest rate in nearly 30 years, latest figures show. Soaring food costs and the energy bill crisis are driving up prices at their fastest rate in almost 30 years, squeezing living standards.
Consumer price inflation surged to 5.4% in the 12 months to December, up from 5.1% the month before, in another blow to struggling families. Inflation surged to 5.4% in the 12 months to December, up from 5.1% the month before, in another blow to struggling families.
The last time inflation was higher was in March 1992, when it was 7.1%.The last time inflation was higher was in March 1992, when it was 7.1%.
And with gas and electricity costs set to increase further soon, analysts warned it could reach that level again.And with gas and electricity costs set to increase further soon, analysts warned it could reach that level again.
Households have seen their energy bills kept in check by the government's price cap, but this is set to be revised on 1 April.
As a result, fuel bills could increase by another 50% in the next few months, the energy industry has warned.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he understood the pressures people were facing, but the opposition Labour party said working families faced an impending "triple whammy" of financial pressures.Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he understood the pressures people were facing, but the opposition Labour party said working families faced an impending "triple whammy" of financial pressures.
The latest figures will increase pressure on the government, already under fire over tax rises set to take effect in April.The latest figures will increase pressure on the government, already under fire over tax rises set to take effect in April.
They will also fuel calls for the Bank of England to raise interest rates in a bid to bring inflation closer to its 2% target. They will also fuel calls for the Bank of England to raise interest rates in a bid to dampen consumer spending and bring inflation closer to its 2% target.
The latest rise was announced by the Office for National Statistics, which said increases in prices of furniture and clothing also contributed to December's rise in the cost of living. The latest rise was announced by the Office for National Statistics, which said increases in prices of furniture, food and clothing also contributed to December's rise in the cost of living.
Stagnant wages What is inflation?
Inflation is the rate at which prices are rising. If the price of a bottle of milk is £1 and it rises by 5p, then milk inflation is 5%.Inflation is the rate at which prices are rising. If the price of a bottle of milk is £1 and it rises by 5p, then milk inflation is 5%.
You may not notice price rises from month to month. But right now, prices are rising so quickly that the money people earn does not go as far.You may not notice price rises from month to month. But right now, prices are rising so quickly that the money people earn does not go as far.
Read more here. Why are prices rising so quickly?
Separate ONS figures issued on Tuesday showed that average pay rises are failing to keep up with the rise in the cost of living.Separate ONS figures issued on Tuesday showed that average pay rises are failing to keep up with the rise in the cost of living.
Regular pay, excluding bonuses and adjusted for inflation, fell 1% in November compared with the same month in the previous year.Regular pay, excluding bonuses and adjusted for inflation, fell 1% in November compared with the same month in the previous year.
Paul Johnson, director at the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank, said people on low incomes would be particularly hard hit by the rises. Paul Johnson, director at the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank, said people on low incomes would be particularly hard hit by the squeeze on living standards.
"Everyone, particularly those on modest incomes, has had a long period of wages not really growing any faster than prices over the last decade, so another increase at this point is going to be particularly painful," he told the BBC."Everyone, particularly those on modest incomes, has had a long period of wages not really growing any faster than prices over the last decade, so another increase at this point is going to be particularly painful," he told the BBC.
Struggling youth Richard Walker, boss of supermarket chain Iceland, said he was seeing an "alarming" rise in the use of food banks.
Jessica Langton, who is required to drive long journeys between farms for her job in cattle rearing, told the BBC she had seen her petrol costs rise by £100 per month. "There may be some people facing a choice between heating or eating. We're losing customers to hunger... The government has to take it seriously."
The 21-year-old, who lives in Derby, is in the final year of her studies, funded by a tuition loan with a fixed interest rate. 'Huge stress for young people'
She is concerned that wages have not increased in line with the cost of living, which means that a sudden bill - such as a car breakdown - would be a "huge stress to cover". Inflation at this level is a new phenomenon for many young people, who were not even born when prices were last rising this fast.
Read more here on how Generation Z is dealing with inflation. One worker, 21-year-old Jessica Langton, who is required to drive long journeys between farms for her job in cattle rearing in Derby, told the BBC she had seen her petrol costs rise by £100 a month.
Grim outlook She said she was concerned that wages had not increased in line with the cost of living, which meant that a sudden bill - such as a car breakdown - would be a "huge stress to cover".
Gen Z: The people who've never seen soaring prices
However, there is little sign of a respite for her and others like her, say analysts.
Paul Dales of Capital Economics said inflation was now expected to hit 7% by April.Paul Dales of Capital Economics said inflation was now expected to hit 7% by April.
"That would be higher than the peak of 6% that the Bank of England was forecasting when it raised rates in December," he added."That would be higher than the peak of 6% that the Bank of England was forecasting when it raised rates in December," he added.
"And although inflation will fall back thereafter, we think it will stay above 4% for all of this year and won't drop to the 2% target until April 2023.""And although inflation will fall back thereafter, we think it will stay above 4% for all of this year and won't drop to the 2% target until April 2023."
As a result, he said, the Bank of England's rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee was likely to raise interest rates faster than most people expected, with the next increase to 0.5% expected in February.As a result, he said, the Bank of England's rate-setting Monetary Policy Committee was likely to raise interest rates faster than most people expected, with the next increase to 0.5% expected in February.
Cost of living rises at fastest pace for 30 years
INFLATION: Why prices are rising so quickly
PETROL: Are we paying too much at the pump?PETROL: Are we paying too much at the pump?
GAS PRICES: How can I protect myself from rising prices?GAS PRICES: How can I protect myself from rising prices?
IMPACT: 'I'm so cold it feels like I'm sleeping outside'IMPACT: 'I'm so cold it feels like I'm sleeping outside'
The wave of inflation shows no sign of abating just yet. Already-high prices for gas, electricity, food and used cars are set to climb further in the coming months, said BBC economics editor Faisal Islam.
At 5.4% in December, the annual rate of the Consumer Price Index has never been higher since the Bank of England was given independence - and, actually, since this measure of inflation was created. Meanwhile the Retail Price Index, an inflation measure which is still widely used by government and businesses, is already at 7.5%.
It is only because the statisticians have modelled what CPI would have been that we can tell that this is the highest since March 1992. This is well over double and heading for treble the rate of inflation the Bank has as its legal target. Gas, electricity, food and used car prices are all surging. The concern is that not only is the predicted peak inflation getting higher, but that it will prove "stickier" than expected, he added.
And the unfortunate news is that it is heading even higher. The Retail Price Index, an inflation measure which is still widely used by government and businesses, is already at an incredible 7.5%. Independent analysts fear the main measure will hit 7% in April when the energy price cap is raised again. Businesses squeezed
But where above 6% it hits is in the hands of government and the energy companies. The gas that they will charge for has already been bought. The inflation that will push these figures yet higher in the coming months is arriving on tankers of American liquified gas. Kate Greig helps run the Kent Food Hub in Ashford
The concern is that not only is the predicted peak inflation getting higher, but that it will prove "stickier" than expected, remaining at high levels as the energy price cap is further raised in the autumn and beyond. Businesses, who face soaring wholesale prices, now face the dilemma of whether to pass on those costs to squeezed consumers.
One businesswoman, Kate Greig, helps run Kent Food Hubs, a co-operative that helps traders and producers in the county to sell direct to customers.
She said her suppliers are seeing increases in their material costs, as well as things such as energy bills.
"Food is more expensive, fuel is more expensive," she told the BBC. "For my traders, raw materials are more expensive, whether that's the lentils to make a meal or the cardboard they use to package it."
Political pressurePolitical pressure
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "I understand the pressures people are facing with the cost of living, and we will continue to listen to people's concerns as we have done throughout the pandemic." Commenting on the crisis, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "I understand the pressures people are facing with the cost of living, and we will continue to listen to people's concerns as we have done throughout the pandemic."
He said the government was providing support worth about £12bn this financial year and next to help families cope.He said the government was providing support worth about £12bn this financial year and next to help families cope.
Shadow Treasury secretary Pat McFadden said: "These figures show that the cost-of-living crisis is only going to get worse in the coming months.Shadow Treasury secretary Pat McFadden said: "These figures show that the cost-of-living crisis is only going to get worse in the coming months.
"Working families are already feeling the crunch. But the triple whammy of an imminent rise in the energy price cap, real wages falling and Tory tax rises coming down the tracks are going to make this crisis even worse.""Working families are already feeling the crunch. But the triple whammy of an imminent rise in the energy price cap, real wages falling and Tory tax rises coming down the tracks are going to make this crisis even worse."
Businesses squeezed
Kate Greig helps run the Kent Food Hub in Ashford
Kate Greig helps run Kent Food Hubs, a co-operative that helps traders and producers in the county to sell direct to customers.
She says her suppliers are seeing increases in their material costs, as well as things such as energy bills.
"Food is more expensive, fuel is more expensive," she said. "For my traders, raw materials are more expensive, whether that's the lentils to make a meal or the cardboard they use to package it."
But she says traders are reluctant to put prices up, because they are already having trouble competing with the large supermarket chains.
"They need to find a way to make it sustainable - and unfortunately, that might be on a price rise."
How are you being affected by the rising cost of living? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How are you being affected by the rising cost of living? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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