Choc rise in food prices

Shoppers hit by runaway costs amid inflation fight

- BY GRAHAM HISCOTT Head of Business

FOOD prices are soaring up to five times faster than inflation in a fresh blow to millions of families, official figures revealed.

Shoppers have been hit with new hikes in the cost of everything from meat and butter to coffee.

Chocolate prices have leapt by a record amount, in a knock to those with a sweet tooth.

It comes as households across the country had hoped the worst of the cost of living crisis was over.

The Office for National Statistics yesterday confirmed that inflation - as measured by the Consumer Prices Index - remained at 3.4% last month.

It means living costs remain well above the Bank of England's 2% target which, say economists, is likely to mean it keeps interest rates on hold in a vote today.

Food and soft drink jumped to 4.4% year-on-year last month, up sharply from 3.4% in April, according to the ONS.