The UK inflation rate could drop out of double digits for the first time since last summer when the Office for National Statistics releases figures for March on Wednesday, with the headline rate expected to fall back to 9.8% from 10.4% in February.
Despite the predicted fall, the headline rate of inflation has been stuck at 40-year highs for months and is well above the Bank of England’s official 2% target.
Some products have risen even further in price, leaving consumers with hefty supermarket bills or trying to stock their basket with alternatives.
Shoppers across the country singled out the one item they’ve noticed jump the most in price – and explained why they can’t live without it.
Bovril, 250g, from Tesco
25.7% price rise: currently £4.40 online, £3.50 in March 2022
“Me and my wife have recently had our first baby, and during the pregnancy we found out that she suffers from a vitamin B deficiency. She is also susceptible to an iron deficiency. Bovril was always a very cheap and instant way to get some much needed vitamin B and iron into our diets.
“It’s a scandalous price rise. We didn’t buy any for a little while – we had a mini boycott for a few weeks, but we’re back on it now.
“I work outside a lot of the year in all weather and since entering my thirties I really suffer from frequently needing to visit the toilet if I drink more than one tea or coffee, which really isn’t ideal when you may be some distance away from a toilet. As Bovril has none of the caffeine like tea or coffee, the issue doesn’t persist.”
Lloyd Farrell, 34, construction manager in Cardiff
Unsweetened soya drink from Asda
58.8% price rise: currently £1.35 online, 85p in March 2022
“I don’t drink cows’ milk so non-dairy ones are the only options. Asda oat milk, almond milk and soya milk have all [jumped in price]. It’s shocking.
“It is the supermarkets finding another way to profit. I think increases on vegan products is because they think they have a captive audience and can get away with it.
“I continue to shop at Asda because it’s within walking distance and I can’t afford petrol at the moment. I try to time my trips down there to time with the reduced section – sometimes I get lucky and fill my freezer.”
Marion, 54, small business owner in Merseyside
Heineken 0.0 alcohol free lager 12x330ml from Sainsbury’s
37.5% price rise: currently £11 online, £8 in March 2022
“I suppose it isn’t essential, but I credit this product with removing a huge amount of alcohol from my diet. Since lockdown I definitely noticed my alcohol intake had gone up, and over the last year I’ve phased out drinking alcoholic beer at home.
“Heineken was the most affordable non-alcoholic lager (and the most palatable). I will still buy it but the increase is a shock – [some] alcoholic beers are available for less.
“When I noticed this beer had gone up, that made me feel a bit upset really. There’s not really [many] alternatives – there are lots of very expensive non-alcoholic beers, the Heineken is normally a good budget option.”
Jared, 42, filmmaker in Kent
Catsan non-clumping odour control cat litter (10l) from Tesco
28.6% price rise: currently £9 online, £7 in March 2022
“I used to buy it from the supermarket as it was comparable across all the major players, but now I buy it in bulk from the internet.
“My cats are very fussy and will only use Catsan cat litter. We have tried every other type of litter and every other brand but they will not use it if it’s not Catsan. They prefer to pee on the floor if it’s not up to their exacting standards.”
Sinead Garry, 47, charity worker in Shipley
Nescafe Gold cappuccino instant coffee 8xsachets
33.3% price rise: currently £2 (on offer) online, £1.50 in March 2022
“I have stopped drinking and smoking so my coffee is the one treat that I rely on to get through the day. Nescafe Gold is the one thing every week that I treat myself to.
“You could just get an ordinary cheap coffee but I get it because I’ve sacrificed other things and I’m sticking with it. I’m quite happy to pay a price that’s a bit more expensive but then when I see how much it’s increased, it’s taking the mick.
“I shop around but the cheapest I can find when it’s on offer is £2. I shop at Morrisons and Asda and they change the price regularly.”
Christine Mulcahy, 61, retired in Bradford
Olive oil extra virgin (2l) from Sainsbury’s
36.8% price rise: currently £11.90 online, £8.70 in March 2022
“When the inflation figures go up by something like 10 or 11%, you think: what does that really mean? And then go to the supermarket and you go, oh, this really has gone up. For example, we use olive oil daily in cooking and salads and it’s gone up more than £3, since last year.
“When shopping we’ve started asking ourselves, how much is that? Do we really need that? We make sure we buy things that will last for more than one day. My wife recently cooked some potatoes, and instead of doing a few, she did a whole tray and that will last three or four days – which economically is worth doing. That’s the way we look at it now.”
Bill Lovatt, retired, Shrewsbury
