Six things we're paying more for and why as inflation rises
23.01.2022 - 18:49
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
In the UK, the cost of living is increasing at its fastest rate for almost 30 years.
Around two thirds of adults say they have seen their cost of living jump over the past month, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal.
People have been hit by steep increases in the cost of energy bills as well as essentials like food and clothes.
READ MORE: The simple change you can make to your boiler that can save you money on your gas bill
Last month, inflation soared to 5.4 per cent - the highest rate since March 1992 - and experts have warned that the cost of living will continue to climb over the next few months.
Worryingly, the Resolution Foundation has predicted that households can expect outgoings to increase by around £1,200 this year.
Along with rising energy bills, Brits are also facing a one-year 1.25 per cent National Insurance rate rise, which is due in April, to help pay for social care and NHS funding.
Here are six things that have risen in cost this year.
The cost of phone and broadband services is going up thanks to an increase in data usage during the pandemic.
The rise of home working and internet streaming has seen huge demand for data in recent years.
Provider BT has announced a price hike of more than 9 per cent from the end of March for most customers, with those affected paying an extra £3.50 a month – or £42 annually – on average for their phone and broadband bills.
Working from home, online education and increased TV streaming have all increased demands on the company’s network, with a 90 per cent rise in broadband usage since 2018, and a 79 per cent increase on mobile phones since 2019, the company said.
Consumer watchdog Which? has said haggling with broadband providers could