The cost of food in the UK has surged at its fastest rate in 18 months, sparking renewed criticism of the Labour government’s handling of the economy.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show food inflation hit 5.1% in the year to August, pushing up the price of essentials from beef to butter and prompting the SNP to accuse Prime Minister Keir Starmer of “breaking his promise” to ease household costs.
Among the steepest rises, the cost of beef is up nearly 25%, butter has jumped 18.9%, and chocolate and coffee are both up more than 15%.
Overall UK inflation stands at 3.8% almost double the government’s 2% target, and markedly higher than major European neighbours.
By comparison, France reported an inflation rate of 0.8% in August, and Germany 2.1%.
SNP Economy spokesperson Dave Doogan MP said the figures were “more evidence that Keir Starmer has lost control of the cost of living.”
“Voters were promised things would get better, but under Starmer the UK has become even worse,” he said.
“The cost of food is increasingly unaffordable, energy bills are £187 more expensive, unemployment is at a four-year high, the UK economy has been downgraded, and poverty is at record levels.”
Economists have also raised the alarm.
Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG UK, said domestic policy was now a key driver of inflation in Britain.
“Since April, the rise in inflation has been driven largely by domestic policy choices,” Selfin said.
“These include the increase in employers’ National Insurance Contributions.
“These higher costs have been passed on by businesses to consumers.”
In Scotland, the political pressure is mounting, with recent YouGov polling showing 86% of Scots think the UK is in a “bad state,” and 60% believe things will get worse over the next year.
The SNP says Scotland is taking a different path, highlighting cost of living support measures such as the Scottish Child Payment, free prescriptions, free university tuition, and the recent abolition of peak rail fares.
Doogan added:
“Labour Party policies like the National Insurance jobs tax hike and Brexit are causing higher prices and damaging the economy.”
“Brexit Britain is fundamentally broken, and Scotland needs a fresh start with independence.”
