BRITAIN’s poorest families have been squeezed the hardest by the latest rise in prices, figures show.
The lowest-earning households’ costs rose by 4.1 per cent — compared with an increase of just 3.8 per cent for the highest-earners.
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Rising energy, food and rent costs have all piled pressure on family budgets leaving the poorest facing the higher inflation rates.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has previously said that driving up living standards will only be achieved by sustained economic growth.
It marks the first time those on the lowest incomes have experienced a higher rate of inflation since June 2023, Office for National Statistics analysis shows.
Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride said: “Inflation has nearly doubled since Labour came to power — and it’s ordinary working families, already feeling the pinch, who are being hit hardest.”
Renters have also endured a sharper rise in costs at 4.5 per cent. That is compared with 3.4 per cent for those who own their homes outright and four per cent for those with a mortgage.
Much of the blame has been put on so-called Awful April when there was an increase in costs such as council tax and energy bills.
James Smith, of the think-tank Resolution Foundation, said: “The pace of price rises is accelerating in Britain, and poorer families are bearing the brunt.
Overall, households saw their costs rise by 3.9 per cent in the year to June, which was up from 2.7 per cent in the year to March.
The Treasury said in response: “Since the election, we’ve been clear that putting more money in people’s pockets and raising living standards is our priority.”
