The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has confirmed today that UK inflation has risen to 9% amid the growing cost of living crisis.
This is the highest it has been for 40 years.
The data released by the ONS today showed prices hiked across a broad range of everyday goods and services during April, but almost three-quarters of this inflation rise was said to be accounted for by the unprecedented 54% increase in the energy price cap – which kicked in at the start of the month.
Millions of people across the UK saw an unprecedented £693-a-year rise in energy costs last month when the a higher energy price cap was introduced.
The energy price cap – which is the mechanism that outlines the maximum amount that companies can charge to provide energy – has been credited with protecting around 22 million UK households from the worst of the price hikes after COVID-19 restrictions were eased and the war in Ukraine pushed up wholesale gas prices.
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The cap also prevented companies from passing on unprecedented increases to their customers.
But the average bill rose by 54%, or £693 annually, from April to £1,971, and the latest forecasts suggest bills could rise to almost £2,600 in October when the next price cap adjustment is due.
— Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) May 18, 2022
Speaking on the price hikes, Grant Fitzner – Chief Economist at the ONS – said: “Inflation rose steeply in April, driven by the sharp climb in electricity and gas prices as the higher price cap came into effect.
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“Around three-quarters of the increase in the annual rate this month came from utility bills… [and] steep annual rises in the cost of metals, chemicals and crude oil also continued, along with higher prices for goods leaving factory gates,” he added.
“This was driven by increases for food products, transport equipment and metals, machinery and equipment.”
Record high prices for both petrol and diesel were other major factors in the inflation rise / Credit: iStockphoto
The Bank of England has also released updated forecasts earlier this month that suggest inflation will top 10% later this year.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak says the government “stands ready to take further action” in response to the rise in inflation, explaining in a statement today: “Countries around the world are dealing with rising inflation [and] today’s inflation numbers are driven by the energy price cap rise in April, which in turn is driven by higher global energy prices.
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“We cannot protect people completely from these global challenges, but are providing significant support where we can.
Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.
As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.
Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.
The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.
Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.
Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.
The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.
Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.
The Manc -
18th May 2022 
