Food bills set to surge by £500 a year
Amid fears of double-digit grocery inflation...
THE cost of putting meals on the table is set to rise by more than £500 a year, industry experts have warned.
The spiralling price of key ingredients and animal feed mean some traditional meals, such as a roast chicken dinner, could surge by as much as 17 per cent.
Many low-income households are cutting back on food spending and skipping meals amid the biggest cost of living squeeze since the 1950s, and it seems the situation is likely to get worse.
The warning comes from experts at the Industry for Grocery Distribution (IGD), who said high food inflation is likely to continue into the middle of next year.
Grocery price inflation hit 7 per cent over the four weeks to May 15 – the highest level in 13 years. The IGD predicts it will rise to an average of 10.9 per cent and could peak at 15 per cent.
A rate of 10.9 per cent would see the average monthly spend on groceries for a typical family of four reach £439 in January 2023, up from £396 in January 2022. This increase amounts to an extra £43 a month or £516 a year.
The IGD expects inflation to be most evident in prices for meat, cereal products, dairy, fruit and vegetables, with products that rely on wheat for feed, such as chicken and pork, likely to see prices soar in the short term. It said: ‘Key items impacted in the medium term are those directly (bread, flours) and indirectly (meat) derived from grain. European cuisine is skewed towards these commodities and traditional meals are likely to rise in price the fastest.
‘For example, IGD expects a roast chicken dinner, including potatoes and vegetables, to cost an additional 17 per cent by the end of 2022.’ It suggested the meal, including vegetables, Yorkshire puddings and an apple crumble for dessert, would rise to more than £2 a head.
IGD chief economist James Walton said: ‘We’re unlikely to see the cost of living pressures easing any time soon.
‘This will undoubtedly leave many households – and the businesses serving them – looking to the future with considerable anxiety. We are already seeing households skipping meals – a clear indictor of food stress.
‘We expect the mood of shoppers to remain bleak for the foreseeable future as they are impacted by rising inflation and a decline in real wages. Shoppers are likely to dial up money-saving tactics as far as possible.’
In response to the crisis, Britons are trading down in both stores and products, switching from mainstream supermarkets to discounters and from branded to lowerpriced products.
The IGD added: ‘The UK is a net-food importer, with around 40 per cent of its food produced elsewhere, exposing it to global food price rises and supply shocks.’
‘The mood will stay bleak’
THE COST of living crisis is fuelling an epidemic of loneliness as people pare back their social lives to save cash, a study has revealed.
A report found more than half of Scots are restricting their social activities as costs go up.
The findings come in a survey of 1,000 Scots by the British Red Cross.
An online YouGov opinion poll for the charity found 89 per cent felt that the increased cost of living will make more people lonely, and 53 per cent said they are restricting how much they socialise because the cost of living is going up.
It also found 30 per cent of people feel lonelier than this time last year, despite the easing of Covid restrictions.
Kenneth Watt, policy and public affairs manager with the British Red Cross, said: ‘Too many people are lonely, and this has only got worse since the start of the pandemic.
‘These latest findings show that the rising cost of living is also leading to greater social isolation.
‘It is vital that support is targeted at the most vulnerable and that efforts are made to ensure all of us enjoy those quality human connections that enrich our lives.’
Most Scots – 84 per cent – agree loneliness is still a problem even though restrictions have lifted, and 59 per cent said they sometimes, often or always feel lonely.
The British Red Cross has encouraged Scots experiencing isolation to contact its Connecting With You service, funded by the Scottish Government.
Volunteers help people to reconnect with their local community by providing phone, online and inperson support, to get them to rebuild their confidence, and feel better connected and more involved in their neighbourhoods.
The Red Cross would like to see the Scottish Government expand this approach and put greater emphasis on health solutions such as ‘social prescribing services’ that seek to put people in touch with groups and activities.
The charity also calls on ministers to explore how further support can be targeted at the most vulnerable people who are struggling alone, and to take steps to provide access to internet or mobile technology that can enable people to connect online.
Dr Jess Sussmann, policy lead at the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said: ‘The pandemic and coming out of it has caused a considerable amount of loneliness and we’re now having to deal with
‘Talk to others if you’re down’
the many problems which come from the cost of living crisis.
‘During Loneliness Awareness Week [this week] we’d urge people to seek help urgently and talk to others if you’re feeling down.’
Minister for Equalities and Older People, Christina McKelvie, said: ‘We’re proud to support the Red Cross’s work and would encourage anyone experiencing loneliness to contact the Connecting With You helpline.’ n If you are 18 and over and experiencing loneliness or social isolation, contact Connecting With You on 0300 30 36 077 between 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.