nflation has soared to a new 30-year high of 7%, official data confirmed today.
Office for National Statistics data showed prices rose annual by an average of 7% in March. Economists had predicted inflation would rise to 6.7%, up from 6.2% in February.
The ONS said rising energy bills and fuel costs were largely behind the forecast-busting rise. Average petrol prices stood at 160.2 pence per litre in March 2022, compared with 123.7 pence per litre a year earlier.
Inflation has soared over the last year
/ Office for National StatisticsMarch’s reading is a fresh 30-year high, topping the record set in February. Last month was the first period captured the economic effects of war in Ukraine, which has sent the price of oil and gas soaring and disrupted the supply of goods like sunflower oil and grains.
The data comes a day after separate figures showed most people’s earnings are failing to keep pace with inflation. Pay excluding bonuses rose by 4% in February, which amounts to a 1% cut to real income.
Inflation is set to get worse as disruption from the war continues and the impact of the new energy price cap, which came into force at the start of the month, kicks in. Think tank the Resolution Foundation said earlier this month that 2.5 million people could be tipped into “fuel stress” by the increase in the price cap.
The Bank of England expects inflation to peak at more than 8% in the coming months, while some City economists think price rises could hit 10%.
Brits are set to see a £1,000 drop in real incomes this year, according to estimates.
Today’s data will pile more pressure on the Chancellor to go further in addressing the cost of living crisis. Businesses, think tanks, consumer groups and politicians from across the political spectrum have all urged Rishi Sunak to offer more support for the lowest income households.
Inflation is soaring around the world. On Tuesday, official data confirmed price rises hit a 40-year high of 8.5% in the United States in March.