Inflation hit 6.2% in February, laying bare the challenge the chancellor faces ahead of his Spring Statement.
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The cost of living continued to soar last month, laying bare the challenge the chancellor faces ahead of his spring spending statement on Wednesday.
Prices rose by 6.2% in the 12 months to February – the fastest for 30 years – as fuel, energy and food costs surged.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak faces growing calls to offer more support as household budgets are squeezed.
Prices are rising faster than wages and the Bank of England thinks it could hit double digits this year.
There is speculation Mr Sunak could cut fuel duty, boost benefits and raise the threshold for national insurance when he shares his spending plans at midday today.
Inflation is the rate at which prices rise. If a bottle of milk costs £1 and that rises by 5p, then milk inflation is 5%.
In February, gas prices were almost a third higher than a year earlier, and electricity prices were up by nearly a fifth, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Petrol and diesel price rises also pushed up the cost of living – February had the highest average diesel price recorded by the ONS – while clothes and footwear, furniture, and food and drink were also helped push up price rises.
Grant Fitzner, chief economist at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said prices had risen for a wide range of goods and services, from food to toys and games.
As pandemic restrictions have eased around the world, firms have faced higher energy, shipping and wage costs, which they have passed on to consumers.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has also led to higher prices for oil and other commodities.
Since December last year, prices have been rising at their fastest rate since the 1990s. Inflation is expected to accelerate in April when the energy price cap is lifted.
This will push up the average household fuel bill up by £693 a year in England, Scotland and Wales, while a planned rise in National Insurance will also put pressure on household budgets.
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