index Inflation in Britain soared to 9 percent year on year in April, a figure record in the last 40 years recorded particularly by the strong rise in energy prices which fully impacts the other elements that make up the cost of living.
The data that accounts for the seriousness of the crisis that the United Kingdom and several European countries are going through as a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine is two points higher than March inflationwhich in its year-on-year record had given 7 percent.
The numbers released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlight that of April as the most serious since 1989, the year in which there are statistics on price increases in the country. Furthermore, the report adds, “must have been the highest (…) since 1982”during the crisis of the government of Margareth Thatcher.
The government’s explanations
“Inflation rose strongly in April, driven by a sharp rise in electricity and gas prices” due to an increase in the government limit on tariffs, explained Grant Fitzner, chief economist at the ONS.
“The sharp year-on-year increases in the cost of metals, chemicals and crude oil also continued, as well as higher prices for products leaving factories“, he added.
Finance Minister Rishi Sunak came out to defend the economic policy of the Boris Johnson government. “Countries around the world are facing rising inflation” and April inflation in the UK comes from energy, driven by prices on world markets, he said.
An “apocalyptic” situation
“We can’t completely shield people from these global challenges, but we are providing a significant support where we can, and we are willing to do more,” the official said.
Criticism is increasing in the country for what many NGOs denounce as a insufficient action by the government in the cost of living crisisat a time when millions of Britons are forced to limit their meals or their heating.
On Monday, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey called the “apocalyptic” situation for food prices and warned that inflation, which is expected to exceed 10% by the end of the year in the UK, could be higher if Ukraine fails to export its crops.