Rising cost of living in the UK
This briefing covers rising prices including food and energy inflation, Government support, and how the cost of living affects households.
Research on the rising cost of living in the UK, including the causes of inflation, the effect on households, and Government support.
The cost of living increased sharply across the UK during 2021 and 2022. The annual rate of inflation reached 11.1% in October 2022, a 41-year high, before easing in subsequent months. The inflation rate reached the Bank of England’s target of 2.0% in May 2024. View all research relating to the current cost of living and inflation, including on energy and fuel prices, support for households, rising prices, rent and housing costs, the effect on students, and suggested further reading.
This briefing covers rising prices including food and energy inflation, Government support, and how the cost of living affects households.
This briefing covers how the high period of inflation in the UK from 2021 to 2024 continues to affect household incomes, spending, poverty, savings and debt.
Latest data and forecasts on UK inflation.
Ahead of the 2024 Autumn Budget on 30 October, this briefing looks at the economic situation, economic forecasts and the public finances.
Economic indicators. (Includes article on Slow Growth and Public Expenditure). House of Commons Library Research Paper 01/82.
This interactive dashboard shows data on economic growth, inflation, trade, employment, government borrowing and debt across the UK.
Typical household energy bills increased by 54% in April 2022 and 27% in October 2022. Lower wholesale prices have led to falls in prices, but bills remain around 29% above their winter 2021/22 levels.
Energy prices have fallen since summer 2023, but are still be well above pre-'energy crisis' levels and there is little prospect of large cuts to bills in the near future.
Find estimates of households in fuel poverty for constituencies in England, and local authorities across the rest of the UK.
This paper answers FAQs on new government support schemes for energy bills, including: the Energy Price Guarantee, Energy Bills Support Scheme, Energy Bills Discount Scheme, Energy Bill Relief Scheme and Alternative Fuel Payments.
This briefing provides analysis of the Energy Prices Bill which includes provisions to reduce energy costs for consumers by capping energy bills and reducing wholesale electricity prices.
The Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme will provide a £400 discount on electricity bills to help households with the rising cost of energy. This briefing summarises the policy, first announced in February and updated in May and July 2022, as well as the reaction to it. It also provides information on eligibility for the scheme and answers to frequently asked questions.
The UK imported no coal, oil or gas from Russia in January 2023. The total value of UK fossil fuel imports from Russia has fallen since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It was £1.34 billion in the year to January 20222
Record energy price rises have led to concern that more families will be drawn into ever deeper fuel poverty. This briefing at how fuel poverty varies across the UK, policies to address fuel poverty, and stakeholder comment on the issue.
Petrol and diesel prices hit record highs in July 2022. Since then they have fallen, but concern remains around so-called 'rocket and feather pricing'.
An overview of Cost of Living Payments and the Household Support Fund.
A resident who has moved into a property since 1 April 2022 is not eligible for the rebate for that property.
This briefing paper provides information on the Social Security (Additional Payments) Bill 2022-23, introduced in the House of Commons on 15 June 2022.
An Estimates Day debate on the spending of the Department for Work and Pensions on the cost of living measures will take place in the House of Commons Chamber on Tuesday 5 July 2022.
A summary of the announcements in the 2023 Autumn Statement and an overview of the latest economic forecasts.
This page provides links to analysis of, and reaction to, the 2023 Autumn Statement from selected think tanks, business groups, political parties and other organisations.
This briefing covers how the high period of inflation in the UK from 2021 to 2024 continues to affect household incomes, spending, poverty, savings and debt.
This briefing explains UK poverty statistics, including historical trends and forecasts, and poverty by employment, tenure, ethnicity, disability and region.
This briefing provides statistics and forecasts for household debt, guidance on how to interpret debt statistics and analysis on how debt effects the economy.
This paper provides statistics on household food insecurity, food bank usage and free school meals in the UK, and tracks the impact of rising living costs.
The Trussell Trust, an anti-poverty charity that operates a network of food banks across the UK, reported a 37% increase in the number of three-day emergency food parcels it distributed between 31 March 2022 and 1 April 2023, compared to the year before.
Benefit claimants are experiencing a reduction in the real value of their payments at a time when rising inflation is hitting low-income households the hardest.
What effect is the rising cost of living having on food banks and the people who use them?
This paper considers the impact of inflation on rent and mortgage payments and the Government response.
This briefing explains how affordable housing is defined and looks at trends in housing affordability and the supply of affordable housing.
This briefing paper brings together details of the main changes to the rent safety net announced since 2010. It covers the savings achieved through changes to Housing Benefit and the Universal Credit housing costs element, as well as the impact of these policies, and the debate that surrounds them.
Find constituency-level data on house prices over time
This briefing explains how the rising cost of living has affected further and higher education students in the UK.
Rent and food prices have increased for students while maintenance loans are lower in real terms compared to last year.
Find out what support is available to higher education students across the UK to help with their fees and living costs.
How have student maintenance support levels changed over time? What support are students eligible for this and next academic year, is it enough and how much are their parents meant to contribute?
A Westminster Hall debate has been scheduled for 9.30am on Wednesday 20 July 2022 on the effect of the war in Ukraine on UK farming and food production. The debate will be opened by Christian Matheson MP.
Rail Fares will rise in 2023, but not by July’s Retail Price Index of 12.3%
This briefing describes customer protections in the UK mobile and broadband markets. It discusses recent concerns expressed on behalf of telecoms consumers, and looks at reforms aimed at improving fairness and protection.