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Inflation in surprise jump to 10.4% in February Veg shortages drive surprise jump in UK inflation
(32 minutes later)
The cost of living unexpectedly increased last month after three consecutive months of easing, driven by dining out and food price rises. The cost of living unexpectedly increased last month after shortages of salad and vegetables helped push food prices to their highest for 45 years.
Inflation, which measures the increase in the price of something over time, jumped to 10.4% in the year to February from 10.1% in January. Alcohol prices in restaurants and pubs also drove up costs for households as inflation jumped to 10.4% in the year to February from 10.1% in January.
Food costs rose at their fastest rate for 45 years with higher costs for some salads and vegetables in particular. Clothing costs, particularly for children and women rose last month, but fuel prices continued to fall.
The prices rises come after shortages were seen in supermarkets. The surprise figures come ahead of a decision on interest rates on Thursday.
The UK's central bank, the Bank of England, will decide whether to increase, reduce or maintain interest rates at their current level as it continues its fight to ease inflation.
One of the main drivers of the unexpected rise in overall inflation was the continued surge of food costs in February, which came at a time when some supermarkets experienced shortages of salad items and vegetables in particular.
Tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers were among certain vegetables that were in scarce supply, largely because of extreme weather affecting harvests in Spain and North Africa.Tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers were among certain vegetables that were in scarce supply, largely because of extreme weather affecting harvests in Spain and North Africa.
Shortages were also compounded by high energy prices impacting UK growers, as well as issues with supply chains.Shortages were also compounded by high energy prices impacting UK growers, as well as issues with supply chains.
The price of alcohol in pubs and restaurants also drove inflation to jump last month following discounting in January, the Office for National Statistics, which publishes the results, said. Grant Fitzner, chief economist for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said higher food prices for February was "no real surprise", but added "what people hadn't been expecting is first that we've seen an increase in the price of alcohol in pubs and restaurants in February after some discounting".
Grant Fitzner, chief economist for the ONS, said higher food prices for February was "no real surprise", but added "what people hadn't been expecting is first that we've seen an increase in the price of alcohol in pubs and restaurants in February after some discounting". Most economists predicted inflation would fall again in February, but Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said a slowdown was not "inevitable".
"We also saw higher clothing prices, particularly for children and women's clothing," he added. "We recognise just how tough things are for families across the country, so as we work towards getting inflation under control we will help families with cost-of-living support worth £3,300 on average per household this year."
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