Pasta price boils over
It’s up by 60% amid surge in cost of food basics like cooking oil, bread and tea
THE price of food staples – including pasta and cooking oil – has rocketed by as much as two thirds as the cost of living crisis continues to take its toll.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics ( ONS) found that the cost of everyday foods has soared faster than other items in the past year.
Top of the list was vegetable oil which saw a price increase of 65 per cent in September. Pasta spiked by 60 per cent while tea rose by 46 per cent.
The cost of chips also jumped by 39 per cent as well as bread (38 per cent) and biscuits (34 per cent).
The survey, which looked at 30 different items, found that the price of budget foods had increased by 17 per cent on average.
Only four items registered an annual fall – orange juice, mince, sugar and rice.
The findings came days after it was revealed that overall food prices have jumped by 14.6 per cent – the fastest rate in 40 years.
Millions of households have traded down to cheaper own-label brands in recent months as inflation – which is running at 10.1 per cent – piles pressure on household budgets. The increases have been blamed on soaring energy and transport bills, largely driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Such was the demand that Asda temporarily introduced rationing of some lines to stop the shelves from being left bare.
National statistician Professor Sir Ian Diamond said the findings highlighted the impact on minorities, adding: ‘While the recent spike in inflation began with energy prices, these fresh insights show they are now filtering through to other important items...
‘While rises in food and energy costs are affecting many people across the country, those who are disabled, from certain ethnic minority backgrounds and renters are among those struggling the most.’
Sue Davies, of consumer group Which?, said: ‘The price of food is soaring and our research shows that the cost of living crisis is leading to millions of people skipping meals or struggling to put healthy meals on the table.
‘It is therefore essential that people get the support that they need from businesses, as well as the Government, during this very difficult time.’
She added that supermarkets have a ‘crucial role’ to play in supporting customers, saying: ‘They should ensure budget lines for affordable essential items are widely available across their stores so that people can easily compare the price of products to get the best value and that promotions are targeted at supporting people most in need.’
Food poverty campaigner Jack Monroe welcomed the ONS survey and called on MPs to take the findings into account when uprating benefits. She added: ‘As I have said for years now... it’s far more expensive to be poor.’
Earlier this year, then-environment secretary George Eustice suggested that those feeling the cost of living squeeze should turn to discount ranges.
By avoiding branded products, families ‘can contain and manage their household budget’, Mr Eustice added. But critics blasted the advice as patronising and out of touch.
‘More expensive to be poor’