This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7556847.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Inflation: Your stories | Inflation: Your stories |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Food prices have soared by a record 13.7% Record food prices and soaring fuel costs have pushed the official rate of inflation up to 4.4%. | Food prices have soared by a record 13.7% Record food prices and soaring fuel costs have pushed the official rate of inflation up to 4.4%. |
| Last month's increase in the Consumer Prices Index - up from 3.8% in June - was the biggest monthly jump since records began. | Last month's increase in the Consumer Prices Index - up from 3.8% in June - was the biggest monthly jump since records began. |
| BBC News website readers from across the country have been writing in to describe how inflation is hitting them. | BBC News website readers from across the country have been writing in to describe how inflation is hitting them. |
| SOUTHERN ENGLAND | SOUTHERN ENGLAND |
| I have found that now, and in the past, that we in West Sussex pay more for most things compared to other counties. I have noticed for some months that in our village the two petrol stations have remained in competition with each other and every Friday their petrol goes up regardless of the oil prices. My day to day costs at home have risen ten-fold. I have oil fired central heating as we do not have gas where we are, I have gone from paying £80 a month to £140 a month. My electricity has risen by £20 a month, the council tax has risen and what do we get for that? We get our bins left if we cannot close the lid. In other countries they would have all come out and said enough is enough, but we just moan and do nothing, the government has sold off all our assets so now we are broke. Sarah Hall, Pulborough, West Sussex | I have found that now, and in the past, that we in West Sussex pay more for most things compared to other counties. I have noticed for some months that in our village the two petrol stations have remained in competition with each other and every Friday their petrol goes up regardless of the oil prices. My day to day costs at home have risen ten-fold. I have oil fired central heating as we do not have gas where we are, I have gone from paying £80 a month to £140 a month. My electricity has risen by £20 a month, the council tax has risen and what do we get for that? We get our bins left if we cannot close the lid. In other countries they would have all come out and said enough is enough, but we just moan and do nothing, the government has sold off all our assets so now we are broke. Sarah Hall, Pulborough, West Sussex |
| As I work just outside of Canterbury which is a journey of approx 16 miles each way, the cost of petrol is quite a concern and public transport is not convienent to use. It used to cost approx £25/week to travel and now I find it is nearer to £45/week. With all the other costs increasing - especially food - it is becoming more and more difficult to maintain one's standard of living.D. Manuel, Sittingbourne, Kent | As I work just outside of Canterbury which is a journey of approx 16 miles each way, the cost of petrol is quite a concern and public transport is not convienent to use. It used to cost approx £25/week to travel and now I find it is nearer to £45/week. With all the other costs increasing - especially food - it is becoming more and more difficult to maintain one's standard of living.D. Manuel, Sittingbourne, Kent |
| My personal inflation is running at 14%. The government's figures are both meaningless and pointless to the ordinary person. When will a politician (red, blue, yellow or green) give us the real figures?Robert, Oxford | My personal inflation is running at 14%. The government's figures are both meaningless and pointless to the ordinary person. When will a politician (red, blue, yellow or green) give us the real figures?Robert, Oxford |
| Food and restaurant prices are on the way up. Petrol has dropped 5p a litre due to competition. Our online shopping bill is up 20%.Richard Romain, Maidstone, Kent | Food and restaurant prices are on the way up. Petrol has dropped 5p a litre due to competition. Our online shopping bill is up 20%.Richard Romain, Maidstone, Kent |
| Is anyone thinking about the graduates who are trying to pay back their student loans. The interest on a student loan is charged in line with the CPI, which is rising rapidly. My student loan repayments from the last year haven't even met the interest that has been added. This was certainly something I was not made aware of by the government or my university when I first applied for it - that my loan would in fact be increasing quicker than I'm paying it off even though I'm out of university.Alissia Knight, Southampton | Is anyone thinking about the graduates who are trying to pay back their student loans. The interest on a student loan is charged in line with the CPI, which is rising rapidly. My student loan repayments from the last year haven't even met the interest that has been added. This was certainly something I was not made aware of by the government or my university when I first applied for it - that my loan would in fact be increasing quicker than I'm paying it off even though I'm out of university.Alissia Knight, Southampton |
| My day to day costs at home have risen ten-fold Sarah Hall, West Sussex | |
| The biggest problem for the Isle of Wight and its economy is the cost of ferry tickets to and from the mainland. It is well known that it is one, if not the most expensive water crossing in the world. The seaside resorts are very quiet and even Cowes week felt less busy than usual.Elizabeth Smith, Isle of Wight | The biggest problem for the Isle of Wight and its economy is the cost of ferry tickets to and from the mainland. It is well known that it is one, if not the most expensive water crossing in the world. The seaside resorts are very quiet and even Cowes week felt less busy than usual.Elizabeth Smith, Isle of Wight |
| For a return fare on the bus which takes about 15 mins it cost £4. Now people who are not employed are supposed to look for job which basically takes their dole money, especially to go to town say 3 times a wk, that costs them £24 per fortnight or more. It's a lot of money, even the cheapest foods like pasta have risen from 38p to 90p. We are struggling to live yet all you see is stupid houses being built which nobody can afford unless you've got mega bucks. I have a family of 3 and my food bill has doubled and that is just the normal shop. I cannot afford a car so I have to get a taxi home which has also gone up in price for a six min journey it costs £8. Even though fuel has gone up it sometimes works out cheaper to travel by car than public transport! Joan Shearn, Chatham, Kent | For a return fare on the bus which takes about 15 mins it cost £4. Now people who are not employed are supposed to look for job which basically takes their dole money, especially to go to town say 3 times a wk, that costs them £24 per fortnight or more. It's a lot of money, even the cheapest foods like pasta have risen from 38p to 90p. We are struggling to live yet all you see is stupid houses being built which nobody can afford unless you've got mega bucks. I have a family of 3 and my food bill has doubled and that is just the normal shop. I cannot afford a car so I have to get a taxi home which has also gone up in price for a six min journey it costs £8. Even though fuel has gone up it sometimes works out cheaper to travel by car than public transport! Joan Shearn, Chatham, Kent |
| I shop for certain items in Lidl and it is roughly the same items each time, so I recognise when prices increase. There has been roughly a 10% rise over the past few weeks - this is food only items. Food is increasing at a much higher rate then the announced figure.Chris Knibbs, Fareham | I shop for certain items in Lidl and it is roughly the same items each time, so I recognise when prices increase. There has been roughly a 10% rise over the past few weeks - this is food only items. Food is increasing at a much higher rate then the announced figure.Chris Knibbs, Fareham |
| MIDLANDS | MIDLANDS |
| I'm single and rent in a shared house. I cycle rather than drive and holiday mainly in the UK. I give myself a budget of £60 a week. This used to allow me to be quite extravagant with my weekly shop. Now I go around with a calculator and am back on the student standbys (tuna bake anyone?). I hate to think how large families are coping with what feels like a 1/3 reduction in payAndy, Leicester | I'm single and rent in a shared house. I cycle rather than drive and holiday mainly in the UK. I give myself a budget of £60 a week. This used to allow me to be quite extravagant with my weekly shop. Now I go around with a calculator and am back on the student standbys (tuna bake anyone?). I hate to think how large families are coping with what feels like a 1/3 reduction in payAndy, Leicester |
| Energy prices etc are the same here as for everyone else. Personally I have stopped spending on all but essential items as all the signs are unemployment in this area is set to rise steeply.CDC, Newcastle, Staffordshire | Energy prices etc are the same here as for everyone else. Personally I have stopped spending on all but essential items as all the signs are unemployment in this area is set to rise steeply.CDC, Newcastle, Staffordshire |
| Not helped by the money-grabbing antics of the supermarkets. Just one example: at the start of the year vegetable oil cost 84p/litre in the local cash-and-carry, 55p/l in the supermarket. Now it costs 87p/l in the cash-and-carry and £1.20/l in the supermarket! If the wholesale price has stayed more or less stable why the more than doubling of retail? Go figure!David, Keyworth, Notts | Not helped by the money-grabbing antics of the supermarkets. Just one example: at the start of the year vegetable oil cost 84p/litre in the local cash-and-carry, 55p/l in the supermarket. Now it costs 87p/l in the cash-and-carry and £1.20/l in the supermarket! If the wholesale price has stayed more or less stable why the more than doubling of retail? Go figure!David, Keyworth, Notts |
| I am now in a situation where I cannot afford to have hot water Jo, Burton on Trent | I am now in a situation where I cannot afford to have hot water Jo, Burton on Trent |
| I am now in a situation where I cannot afford to have hot water, come the colder weather it will not be possible to heat the house. Because I am single and work, I get no help. My friend who has a child with her benefits earns more than me and will get £150 towards her heating. About time other people were considered. Utilities should never have been nationalised, it would have stopped this profiteering.Jo, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire | I am now in a situation where I cannot afford to have hot water, come the colder weather it will not be possible to heat the house. Because I am single and work, I get no help. My friend who has a child with her benefits earns more than me and will get £150 towards her heating. About time other people were considered. Utilities should never have been nationalised, it would have stopped this profiteering.Jo, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire |
| I see that some employers are offering inflation-busting pay rises. I wish mine was. I got 3% last year and 2.5% this year. My salary packet already wasn't keeping up and I can't ask for increases on a monthly basis.Alex, Birmingham | I see that some employers are offering inflation-busting pay rises. I wish mine was. I got 3% last year and 2.5% this year. My salary packet already wasn't keeping up and I can't ask for increases on a monthly basis.Alex, Birmingham |
| The inflation figures are most annoying as they do not reflect real inflation, as they omit specific costs which all households feel the increase of cost on (i.e. household fuel, council tax, water rates, mortgage inflation) which are more than 70% of monthly expenditures.Peter, Leicester | The inflation figures are most annoying as they do not reflect real inflation, as they omit specific costs which all households feel the increase of cost on (i.e. household fuel, council tax, water rates, mortgage inflation) which are more than 70% of monthly expenditures.Peter, Leicester |
| NORTHERN ENGLAND | NORTHERN ENGLAND |
| In my opinion 4.4% is an underestimation. My grocery bill at Tesco has gone up by a quarter and my fuel bill by over £15 per fortnight. I work in local government and 2.45% is an insult. I do not have unaudited receipts to fall back on to support my lifestyle like my MP.Steve Kimber, Doncaster | In my opinion 4.4% is an underestimation. My grocery bill at Tesco has gone up by a quarter and my fuel bill by over £15 per fortnight. I work in local government and 2.45% is an insult. I do not have unaudited receipts to fall back on to support my lifestyle like my MP.Steve Kimber, Doncaster |
| Only 4.4%? I find that hard to believe. Do they include all those goods that we buy once every few years, that are coming down in price - the TVs, the computers? What about the real rates for those essential items that we need day in, day out? That must be well above 7%.Steve Brereton, York | Only 4.4%? I find that hard to believe. Do they include all those goods that we buy once every few years, that are coming down in price - the TVs, the computers? What about the real rates for those essential items that we need day in, day out? That must be well above 7%.Steve Brereton, York |
| As a pensioner living on my own, l have noticed the effects of rocketing inflation of (in some cases) up to 10%. Cheaper clothing or electronics do not affect the average OAP. Last week a shopping bill for essential food was £45. Less than 12 months ago the same items would have cost about £35. Basic pensions MUST rise significantly to cover everyday living costs.Roy Ormond, Leeds | As a pensioner living on my own, l have noticed the effects of rocketing inflation of (in some cases) up to 10%. Cheaper clothing or electronics do not affect the average OAP. Last week a shopping bill for essential food was £45. Less than 12 months ago the same items would have cost about £35. Basic pensions MUST rise significantly to cover everyday living costs.Roy Ormond, Leeds |
| We all know now that these figures are a load of rubbish. True inflation on the costs of necessities is running at upwards of 20%. Luxury items may have reduced but that's because people can't afford them. They shouldn't be included in any inflation figures.Mark Procter, Burnley | We all know now that these figures are a load of rubbish. True inflation on the costs of necessities is running at upwards of 20%. Luxury items may have reduced but that's because people can't afford them. They shouldn't be included in any inflation figures.Mark Procter, Burnley |
| I am sick and tired with comments from this government and the opposition of how hard inflation hits families. I am married and have no children and our bills are going up and we do not get help with the tax system. No child benefit and help in other ways, we get nothing but tax hikes.Christopher Lumb, Oldham | I am sick and tired with comments from this government and the opposition of how hard inflation hits families. I am married and have no children and our bills are going up and we do not get help with the tax system. No child benefit and help in other ways, we get nothing but tax hikes.Christopher Lumb, Oldham |
| As a daily commuter between towns to get to and from work, I notice the amazing price differences between petrol and diesel. I now make a point of filling up in the town I pass through on the way to work. In Southport, unleaded petrol reaches £112.9 per litre even after price drops, yet further up the road in Preston (17 miles away) prices are as low as £107.9 per litre. Further to this, petrol prices increase towards the weekend to maximise profits out of weekend travellers.Christopher Green, Southport, Merseyside | As a daily commuter between towns to get to and from work, I notice the amazing price differences between petrol and diesel. I now make a point of filling up in the town I pass through on the way to work. In Southport, unleaded petrol reaches £112.9 per litre even after price drops, yet further up the road in Preston (17 miles away) prices are as low as £107.9 per litre. Further to this, petrol prices increase towards the weekend to maximise profits out of weekend travellers.Christopher Green, Southport, Merseyside |
| WALES | WALES |
| Food inflation has been huge in the last year. We've swapped to Asda from Tesco's as the prices there were just too much. Mince went from £2.19 to £2.89. Dolmio from £1.15 to £1.50. Bread from 80p to £1.20. At Asda our weekly shop has fallen by £20 a week in comparison with Tesco's - so we're off to try Lidl/Aldi just to see. Tony, Cardiff | Food inflation has been huge in the last year. We've swapped to Asda from Tesco's as the prices there were just too much. Mince went from £2.19 to £2.89. Dolmio from £1.15 to £1.50. Bread from 80p to £1.20. At Asda our weekly shop has fallen by £20 a week in comparison with Tesco's - so we're off to try Lidl/Aldi just to see. Tony, Cardiff |
| I am a self employed IT consultant. I haven't had any problems with the slow down yet. Do you think the media are gagging for the next bit of so called bad news? House prices are falling! Falling to what - they have soared over the last 10 years! Get a grip !Clive Thomas, Pontypridd | I am a self employed IT consultant. I haven't had any problems with the slow down yet. Do you think the media are gagging for the next bit of so called bad news? House prices are falling! Falling to what - they have soared over the last 10 years! Get a grip !Clive Thomas, Pontypridd |
| The official inflation figures have been fiction for some time. I bought a pasty on my way to work this morning which was 85p. It was 70p last autumn. That's a 21% increase. That matches my experience in a major supermarket.Bruce Burniston, Swansea | The official inflation figures have been fiction for some time. I bought a pasty on my way to work this morning which was 85p. It was 70p last autumn. That's a 21% increase. That matches my experience in a major supermarket.Bruce Burniston, Swansea |
| SCOTLAND | SCOTLAND |
| It is interesting reading about the financial institutions advising of 0.6 increases overall in the past month. In real terms we as a family of four have seen a 25-30% increase in our weekly shopping, a 15% increase in petrol and monthly direct debits increase by almost 50% to cover recent price hikes by the energy suppliers. Thus a 0.6% increase in inflation may be a true representation against inflation considerations, but the real costs affect us all far more than this and static wage increases of 2-3% just aren't going to cover the additional costs.Martin McCormack, Coatbridge, Scotland | It is interesting reading about the financial institutions advising of 0.6 increases overall in the past month. In real terms we as a family of four have seen a 25-30% increase in our weekly shopping, a 15% increase in petrol and monthly direct debits increase by almost 50% to cover recent price hikes by the energy suppliers. Thus a 0.6% increase in inflation may be a true representation against inflation considerations, but the real costs affect us all far more than this and static wage increases of 2-3% just aren't going to cover the additional costs.Martin McCormack, Coatbridge, Scotland |
| Fuel prices may be coming down elsewhere but not here in the islands, where petrol is still £1.27 per litre or more.Kris Westerman, Stornoway | Fuel prices may be coming down elsewhere but not here in the islands, where petrol is still £1.27 per litre or more.Kris Westerman, Stornoway |
| My daily expenditure is up about 20%-35% on food, gas, electricity and my media services, e.g. broadband & phone bill. Being in benefits, if things do not change soon, I will not be able to afford adequate heating this winter, up to a point where I am worrying already.Martin Wright, Edinburgh | My daily expenditure is up about 20%-35% on food, gas, electricity and my media services, e.g. broadband & phone bill. Being in benefits, if things do not change soon, I will not be able to afford adequate heating this winter, up to a point where I am worrying already.Martin Wright, Edinburgh |
| In real terms, we as a family of four have seen a 25-30% increase in our weekly shopping Martin McCormack, Coatbridge, Scotland | In real terms, we as a family of four have seen a 25-30% increase in our weekly shopping Martin McCormack, Coatbridge, Scotland |
| This time last year I had an OK lifestyle, worked hard, paid the mortgage and at weekends would have a few beers with mates. Now I am struggling to pay all the bills and buy food - things are giving. And no, I don't have debts or a high mortgage. But now I am having to borrow just to live and travel to work. My electricity has went up by £67 per month! It's getting silly as my wages only went up by £37 per monthâ¦I may have to sell my flat as there's no point working if you can't live.Kenny, Scotland | This time last year I had an OK lifestyle, worked hard, paid the mortgage and at weekends would have a few beers with mates. Now I am struggling to pay all the bills and buy food - things are giving. And no, I don't have debts or a high mortgage. But now I am having to borrow just to live and travel to work. My electricity has went up by £67 per month! It's getting silly as my wages only went up by £37 per monthâ¦I may have to sell my flat as there's no point working if you can't live.Kenny, Scotland |
| I notice food prices are increasing alarmingly, but if Margaret Thatcher was prime minister today, I would agree with her raising interest rates to stop a double-digit rate of inflation in the long term!John Doig, Coupar Angus, Scotland | I notice food prices are increasing alarmingly, but if Margaret Thatcher was prime minister today, I would agree with her raising interest rates to stop a double-digit rate of inflation in the long term!John Doig, Coupar Angus, Scotland |
| LONDON | LONDON |
| The cost of living in London was excessive to start with. Factoring in the utility companies' price hikes and ceaseless rises in the prices of basic foodstuffs, it just isn't viable to live here anymore.Wendy Ragiste, London | The cost of living in London was excessive to start with. Factoring in the utility companies' price hikes and ceaseless rises in the prices of basic foodstuffs, it just isn't viable to live here anymore.Wendy Ragiste, London |
| Behind the headline stories of petrol, energy and food price hikes are countless unreported items. Any products associated with oil are experiencing sharp rises - a new tyre for my bicycle has increased in price from £18.99 last month to £24.99 this month. Because the price hikes are on products that are so central to the economy, and to our lives, there are few products and services that have not been affected.Tom Handysides, London | Behind the headline stories of petrol, energy and food price hikes are countless unreported items. Any products associated with oil are experiencing sharp rises - a new tyre for my bicycle has increased in price from £18.99 last month to £24.99 this month. Because the price hikes are on products that are so central to the economy, and to our lives, there are few products and services that have not been affected.Tom Handysides, London |
| Rising inflation terrifies me at the moment. I work in the private sector and have had no pay review in two years. I am feeling the pinch of inflation to the tune of a pay cut of about 10%. When considering where my mortgage is going to shoot up too when my fixed rate ends, I shudder! I am having to make big cutbacks and I am already selling my car without considering replacing it. I personally feel the recession has already begun! Ciaran, London E17 | Rising inflation terrifies me at the moment. I work in the private sector and have had no pay review in two years. I am feeling the pinch of inflation to the tune of a pay cut of about 10%. When considering where my mortgage is going to shoot up too when my fixed rate ends, I shudder! I am having to make big cutbacks and I am already selling my car without considering replacing it. I personally feel the recession has already begun! Ciaran, London E17 |
| It just isn't viable to live here anymore Wendy Ragiste, London | It just isn't viable to live here anymore Wendy Ragiste, London |
| Slowly, but surely, the price of food in supermarkets has increased. Basics such as bread, fish and meat are more expensive. Fruit and vegetables also seem to be more pricey, resulting in me missing certain things off my shopping list altogether.Shakila, London | Slowly, but surely, the price of food in supermarkets has increased. Basics such as bread, fish and meat are more expensive. Fruit and vegetables also seem to be more pricey, resulting in me missing certain things off my shopping list altogether.Shakila, London |
| The government (of any political colour) really does think the electorate are stupid. We KNOW that food bills are rising rapidly - 27% on last year is a relatively minor suggestion - and we know that petrol costs and household fuel costs are going up at an even higher rate. So how do the mandarins in Whitehall calculate that there is "only" a four per cent increase in inflation? Pull the other one, Brown, it's got bells on it!MazalUK, London | The government (of any political colour) really does think the electorate are stupid. We KNOW that food bills are rising rapidly - 27% on last year is a relatively minor suggestion - and we know that petrol costs and household fuel costs are going up at an even higher rate. So how do the mandarins in Whitehall calculate that there is "only" a four per cent increase in inflation? Pull the other one, Brown, it's got bells on it!MazalUK, London |
Previous version
1
Next version