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Inflation has risen to a ‘higher than expected’ 41-year UK high of 11.1%

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 16th November 2022

Inflation rose at a “higher than expected” rate last month, and is now at a 41-year UK high of 11.1% amid the cost of living crisis.

Up from 10.1% in September, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has confirmed today that the consumer prices index (CPI) measure of inflation had risen by a whole 1% in October too 11.1% – which is the highest it has been in 41 years since October 1981 as the rising cost of living crisis continues to make its impact felt nationwide.

The cost of electricity and heating for homes was one of the fastest rising figures last month, the ONS said, despite most households receiving help from the government’s energy price guarantee – which was introduced at the start of last month, and limits wholesale charges for gas and power – while food costs were was also cited as another major element.

At 16.5%, the cost of food rose at the fastest annual pace since 1977, the ONS stated.

The ONS also added that prices rose between September and October 2022 by as much as they did in the entire year to July 2021.

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“Over the past year, gas prices have climbed nearly 130%, while electricity has risen by around 66%,” explained Grant Fitzner – chief economist at the ONS.

The confirmation of the new rate of inflation comes ahead of newly-appointed Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Budget statement tomorrow, and also suggests that Bank of England will have to raise interest rates further to bring inflation down to its 2% target, the Financial Times reports.

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Inflation has risen to a ‘higher than expected’ 41-year UK high of 11.1% / Credit: Aldi

Blaming Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the deepening cost of living crisis, Hunt has pledged to take “tough but necessary decisions on tax and spending” in the Autumn Budget to help bring inflation down.

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He added: “We cannot have long-term, sustainable growth with high inflation.

“Tomorrow I will set out a plan to get debt falling, deliver stability, and drive down inflation while protecting the most vulnerable.”

Featured Image – Flickr

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A former beauty queen, 25, has died suddenly after collapsing at stables owned by Michael Owen

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Jessica Whalley

A former beauty queen has died at just 25 years old, after she collapsed at the stables owned by Michael Owen.

Jessica Whalley worked at Manor House Stables and had previously taken part in the Miss Tourism Universe pageant.

Emergency services were called to the equestrian facility in Malpas, Cheshire, on Tuesday morning to reports that the young woman had collapsed.

Tragically, paramedics were unable to revive Jessica, and she died at the scene.

Manor House Stables, which is owned by former England, Liverpool FC and Manchester United legend Michael Owen, has put out a statement.

They wrote: “It is with deep sadness that we have to announce that a much-valued member of our team died at work this morning.

“The family have been informed and both the family and the team at Manor House request privacy at this time.”

In a statement, Cheshire Police said: “At around 8.50am today, Tuesday 28 March, police were made aware that a 25-year-old woman had collapsed at a stables on Old Coach Road, Malpas.

“Emergency services attended the location and, despite the best efforts of all those involved, the woman sadly died at the scene.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious and her next of kin have been informed. A file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Jockey Zander Voy also shared a tribute to Jessica Whalley, posting: “It’s heartbreaking to hear Jess lost her life today at the tender age of 25.

“She was riding out doing what she loved. We had so many great times working in Dubai. May she rest in peace. Here’s her just 72 hours ago.”

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Featured image: Instagram

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Keir Starmer says Labour will ‘freeze’ council tax this year if elected

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Keir Starmer has said he will “freeze” council tax in England this year if Labour triumphs in the upcoming local elections.

The Labour leader says his party will cut tax “for the many, not just for the top 1%.”

With the next local elections coming up on 4 May 2023, and Labour hoping to gain in its number of seats across England and Wales, Sir Keir Starmer appeared in Swindon today to launch his party’s election campaign, and hit out at the Conservative Party for being “nowhere near good enough” over their last 13 years of power.

Starmer notably blasted the Tories for their decision to raise tax-free pension limits in its most recent Budget announcement – which is set to benefit the most well-off in our society – and said Labour would counteract this and represent working people.

It comes after almost three in four local Councils say they are planning to increase the cost by the maximum amount allowed after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt raised the cap on council tax increases without a referendum from 3% to 5%.

Council leaders claim they have “little choice” but to increase costs as the rising cost of living crisis sadly continues to make its impact felt nationwide.

Speaking at the launch of Labour’s campaign today, Starmer stated “there is a choice on tax” for the public to make in the upcoming local elections.

He added: “A Tory choice – taxes up for working people, tax cuts for the 1% – or a Labour choice, where we cut business rates to save our high streets and where, if there was a Labour government, you could take that council tax rise you just got and rip it up.

“A Labour government would freeze your council tax this year – that’s our choice. A tax cut for the many, not just for the top 1%. So take this message to every doorstep in your community: Labour is the party of lower taxes for working people.

“That’s the difference we can make. That’s the choice in May. A better Britain.”

Starmer said he intends for the pledges he made in Labour’s local election campaign launch to “send a message to the government” after their 13 years in power.

“What they’ve delivered to our country nowhere near good enough,” he said

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“We’ve got to get out there and show people the difference Labour can make. Let them see our hunger for change. We have to prove that this suffocating cost of living crisis, the path of decline the Tories have set Britain on, the endless sticking plaster politics, is not inevitable.

“There is a choice.”

Featured Image – gov.uk

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