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89% of UK households report being hit by rising food costs

1 min read
Last updated March 19, 2025

As inflation continues to squeeze budgets, a striking 89% of UK households reported that their food bills had increased.

As of February 2025, a significant majority of households in the UK have experienced an increase in their cost of living, primarily due to rising expenses in essential areas.

What are the findings?

According to data from the Office for National Statistics, 89% of UK households reported higher food bills, while 79% faced increased gas or electricity costs.

Additionally, 48% noted a rise in fuel prices, and 16% experienced higher rent or mortgage payments.

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These findings align with the broader economic context of 2024, where high inflation has been a significant factor driving the cost-of-living crisis in the UK.

The impact of inflation

After several years of relatively low inflation, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate surged from 2021 onwards, reaching a peak of 11.1% in October 2022. Although inflation has fallen since that peak, it rose by 3.4% back in February 2024, and as of January 2025 sits at 3%.

In response to these rising costs, households have had to adopt various measures to manage their expenses.

Need help with your finances? 

The ongoing cost-of-living crisis continues to be a pressing concern for many in the UK, with households grappling with increased prices across multiple sectors.

Getting expert financial help can ensure you make the right decisions based on your unique circumstances.

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Our team of expert writers, who have decades of experience writing about personal finance, including investing, retirement and pensions, are here to help you find out what you need to know about life’s biggest financial decisions. The team have written for and featured in publications such as Times Money Mentor, Interactive Investor, MoneyWeek, The Times, Confused.com, Shares Magazine and more.