// Inflation across the UK unexpectedly rose last month after three consecutive months of easing, driven by dining out and food price rises
// Inflation rose to 10.4% in February, up from 10.1 in January
UK inflation has jumped unexpectedly to 10.4% in February, up from 10.1 the month prior in a blow to households as the cost-of-living crisis intensifies.
The Office for National Statistics chief economist Grant Fitzner said: “Inflation ticked up in February, mainly driven by rising alcohol prices in pubs and restaurants following discounting in January.”
The increase has quelled expectations of inflation easing after it hit a 41-year high of 11.1% last October.
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“Food and non-alcoholic drink prices rose to their highest rate in over 45 years with particular increases for some salad and vegetable items as high energy costs and bad weather across parts of Europe led to shortages and rationing,” said Fitzner.
“These were partially offset by falls in the cost of motor fuel, where the annual inflation rate has eased for seven consecutive months.”
Following the news, chancellor Jeremy Hunt said that “falling inflation isn’t inevitable so we need to stick to our plan to halve it this year,”
“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.”
“The cost-of-living crisis is still biting hard and taxes are rising, yet the Government chose to use the Budget to hand a £1 billion bung to the top 1%.
“Labour will stand with working people and with our mission to secure the highest sustained growth in the G7, make families across every part of our country feel better off.”
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