The supermarket items whose prices have risen the most

Inflation in the UK fell sharply to 8.7 percent in April, but household budgets remain under pressure due to persistently high food prices.

Food inflation was 19.1% in April, down slightly from 19.2% in March.

Prices for bread and cereals rose by 18.7 percent, meat cost 17.2 percent more than in April 2022 and the price of fish increased by 14.2 percent.

The price of whole milk rose by 26.3 percent, while olive oil cost 46.4 percent more than in the previous year. Meanwhile, eggs became 37 percent more expensive and vegetables rose by 19.9 percent. Fruit was 10.8 percent more expensive.

Rachelle Earwaker, senior economist at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “Inflation may have fallen, but that is little consolation for the millions of households struggling with astronomically high living costs. Falling inflation does not mean lower prices either – higher costs are already locked in.”

Read more: Inflation in the UK falls to 8.7 percent in April, but food prices remain high

“Most worryingly, annual food price inflation, currently at a staggering 19%, has not come down. Food prices have been rising steadily for 18 months, with devastating consequences: millions of low-income families are hungry and unable to afford regular, healthy meals. This is not just a current crisis – if we do nothing, it will affect our nation's health long into the future. Are we really happy for this to become the norm?

“Almost 9 in 10 families on Universal Credit cannot afford basic needs such as food and clothing. For them, inflation returning to the Bank of England's target does not mean costs are suddenly affordable. The Government must ensure that benefits always cover the cost of essentials – sporadic, short-term support packages are not enough.”

According to the Office for National Statistics, the annual rate for food and drink in April 2023 will be the second highest in over 45 years; in August 1977 the rate was estimated to be 21.9%.

James Smith, head of research at the Resolution Foundation, said: “Inflation has finally fallen back into single digits as last spring's energy price shock is eliminated from the latest annual inflation rate. But the cost of living crisis is raging and not ending – with rising food prices now taking centre stage.

Read more: British households pay £833 more for groceries as food inflation remains high

“Rising food prices are hitting low-income families particularly hard: three out of five of them already report having to cut back on food and other essential goods.

This is how much prices rose in the twelve months up to April:

Food price increases – total 19.1%

Bread and cereals – 19.3%

The story continues

Meat – 17.2%

Fish – 14.2%

Eggs – 37%

Low-fat milk – 33.5%

Oils and fats – 26.1%

Cheese and curd – 30.6%

Fruit – 10.8%

Pizza and quiche – 11.9%

Vegetables – 19.9%

Jams, marmalades and honey – 17.9%

Butter – 20.1%

Non-alcoholic beverages – 16.5%

Tea – 19.1%

Coffee – 15.3%

Mineral water, soft drinks and juices – 15.7%

Alcoholic beverages – 7%

Spirits – 6.2%

Wine – 5.7%

Beer – 10%

Tobacco – 11%

Clothing – 7.3%

Clothing – 7.5%

Other clothing and clothing accessories – 5.5%

Shoes – 3.9%

Electricity, gas and other fuels – 24.3%

Electricity – 17.3%

Gas – 36.2%

Liquid fuels – (-27.2%)

Solid fuels – 22.6%

Furniture, furnishings and carpets – 8.4%

Furniture and furnishings – 8.3%

Carpets and other floor coverings – 9%

Home textiles – 6.4%

Glassware, tableware and household appliances – 2.8%

Tools and equipment for home and garden – 5.1%

Purchase of vehicles – 3.4%

New cars: 5.9%

Used cars – 1.2%

Motorcycles and bicycles – 0.5%

Transport services – 4.6%

Passenger transport by rail – 5.1%

Passenger transport by road – 4%

Passenger transport by air – 12.6%

Passenger transport by sea and inland waterway – 3.6%

Postal services – 5.7%

Leisure and cultural services – 3.2%

Leisure and sports services – 4.1%

Museums – 8.1%

Cinemas, theaters and concerts – 0.1%

Books, newspapers and stationery – 11.4%

Books – 18%

Newspapers and magazines – 12.6%

Other printed matter, stationery, drawing materials – 7.1%

Package holidays – 12.7%

Education – 3.2%

Catering services – 9.3%

Restaurants and cafes – 9.4%

Canteens – 4.2%

Accommodation services – 13.7%

Hotels and motels – 14.9%

Personal care – 9.9%

Hairdressing and personal care salons – 5.8%

Personal care appliances and products – 11%

CPIH total – 8.7%

Food and non-alcoholic beverages – 19.1%

Alcoholic beverages and tobacco – 9.1%

Clothing and footwear – 6.8%

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels – 12.3%

Furniture, household appliances and maintenance – 7.5%

Health – 7%

Transport – 1.5%

Communication – 7.9%

Education – 3.2%

Restaurants and hotels – 10.2%

Miscellaneous goods and services – 6.8%

Attention: Significant decline in inflation as energy costs stabilize

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