ENERGY PRICES FUEL INFLATION RISE
(Published 19 October 2011)
Rising energy prices have fuelled a rise in inflation, with the Consumer Price Index reaching a 3-year high of 5.2%.
According to the Office for National Statistics, gas and electricity prices have risen by 13% and 7.5% respectively since this time last year.
Food prices have also increased by 6.4%, communications costs including mobile phone charges have risen by 5.9% and transport prices are 8.9% higher.
The Bank of England predicted in May that inflation could reach 5%, if utility bills continued to rise.
Concern about energy prices has prompted The Sun newspaper to join forces with consumer group Which? to launch a five-point Keep It Down campaign, calling on energy suppliers to commit to price rise freezes, offer free insulation, provide free boiler cover over the winter months, deliver additional financial support for elderly and vulnerable customers, and provide greater clarity on the cheapest energy tariffs.
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