Food costs hit record highs

FOOD inflation has hit a new record of 12.4% as rocketing energy, animal feed and transport costs force prices up.

The Brc-nielsen IQ Shop Price Index shows fresh food – especially eggs, meat and dairy – rose the most, by 14.3%.

The figures are the highest since records began in 2005. Christmas will be a huge struggle for many as shop prices overall have gone up by 7.4% from last year.

British Retail Consortium CEO Helen Dickinson said: “Winter looks bleak as pressures on prices continue unabated.”