INFLATION FRUSTRATION

Families in tough 2025, warn experts | Big energy, water and car rises in weeks

- BY GRAHAM HISCOTT

INFLATION jumped back up to 3% last month as households battling rising costs were warned of more pain to come.

The Consumer Prices Index, which measures living costs, rose sharply from 2.5% in December.

The Office for National Statistics said the bigger-than-expected lift was driven by jumps in food prices, air fares and private school fees.

The average cost of food and soft drinks rose 3.1% year-on-year last month, up sharply from 1.9% in December, but still less than half the 7% at the start of 2024.

Groceries including bread, pork, lamb, olive oil, butter, chocolate, tea and coffee recorded the biggest price surges.