Food prices rose and pushed inflation to another 40-year-high, as households faced the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Consumer Prices Index inflation (CPI) hit 10.1% last month, with the increase being largely down to food prices and essentials including toilet rolls and toothbrushes.
It is the biggest jump in the cost of living since February 1982, when CPI reached 10.4%.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages prices rose by 12.7%, the ONS said, a rise from 9.8% the month before and the highest since August 2008.
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The biggest increases of inflation were from household essentials, which includes products such as bread, cereals, milk, cheese and eggs.
Dairy products also “increased notably”, the ONS said.
However, there were also smaller impacts from rising cooked ham and bacon prices, vegetables, sugar and jam.
“A wide range of price rises drove inflation up again this month,” ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner added.
“Food prices rose notably, particularly bakery products, dairy, meat and vegetables, which was also reflected in higher takeaway prices
“Price rises in other staple items, such as pet food, toilet rolls, toothbrushes and deodorants, also pushed up inflation in July.”
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