Wednesday 14th May 2008
Data from the Office for National Statistics has revealed that inflation topped three per cent in April.
In spite of some downward contributions, the government body asserts that the three per cent upper threshold was breached.
Upward effects from food and non-alcoholic drinks helped to boost inflation, taking it more than one percentage point from the target rate.
Meanwhile, financial research firm the Alliance Trust claims that some age groups are facing even greater price increases than the headline rate.
Over-75s are the hardest hit demographic group, with their typical shopping basket currently increasing in cost at a rate of 4.1 per cent.
Shona Dobbie, head of the Alliance Trust Research Centre, says: "The official headline rate of inflation rose considerably this month, but in the case of food and energy the situation is even worse."
Ms Dobbie adds that, when essential items rise in price, all consumers are likely to witness an impact on their wallets.
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