WIREDGOV

Helen Barnard, Head of Analysis at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, responded to the recent inflation figures from the ONS

"New CPI figures show that prices are beginning to rise, with inflation now at the highest level in over a year. One big driver of the increase is the rising cost of the weekly shop, which will have a bigger impact on people who are struggling to make ends meet. People in the bottom fifth of the income scale typically spend £1 in every £6 on food, compared with £1 in every £12 for the richest fifth.

"With price rises  predicted to continue, the freeze on working-age benefits will put low-income families under increasing pressure. Ending the freeze and linking benefit increases to the CPI would help to protect those on lower incomes against future rises in essential goods and services."

View ONS figures: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/consumerpriceinflation/dec2016