Inflation 'Family Costs Are Increasing From All Sides'

Money is just a constant worry and I feel like it's infecting everything," says Jess Daly of the impact of rising living costs on her family. "Costs are increasing from all sides and there seems to be a relentless expectation that we are going to be able to absorb them without extra help."

- Zoe Wood, Ashley Kirk

With the cost of living crisis now into its second year, Jess, who lives with her husband, Jon, and two-year-old daughter, Robin, in Norwich, says that as well as food and energy bills they have fresh worries. Their childcare costs are going up and Jess could lose her job as a library administrator.

It is a lot to cope with. Official figures published yesterday showed the UK inflation rate as measured by the consumer prices index had made a surprise rise to 10.4% in February after three months of falls, driven by increases in the cost of meals out and fresh produce amid the salad shortage.