Inflation in the UK rose to its highest level in 41 years last month. Living in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland was 11.1 per cent more expensive in October than last year, UK statistics agency ONS announced on Wednesday. In September, inflation was still 10.1%.
Rising energy and food prices, in particular, have contributed to high inflation, the statistics office reports. The percentage was higher than expected by economists.
Inflation in the UK would have risen to around 13.8% in October had the government not acted by capping household energy bills to an average of £2,500 a year, the ONS said.
Low-income households are particularly hard hit, as energy and food absorb much of their spending. Treasury Secretary Jeremy Hunt says “difficult but necessary” measures are needed to deal with rising prices.
