The cost of living has soared in the UK - with a surge in egg, milk and cheese costs pushing food inflation to its highest level for 14 years. The war in Ukraine has continued to help drive up prices at supermarket tills.
No part of the economy has escaped the energy crisis, which has helped push up prices of food and other items. Falling petrol and diesel prices meant the overall inflation rate eased slightly but it remains near a 40-year high, official figures show.
Food prices rose at their fastest pace since 2008 in the year to August. Experts believe that the support on energy bills announced by the Government last week will ensure that inflation does not reach the concerning highs that had been forecast.
According to one prediction, CPI inflation could have peaked above 20% as energy bills continued to rise. But bills will be capped at £2,500 per year for the average household for the next two years, new Prime Minister Liz Truss announced on Thursday. Without that support bills had at most been forecast to rise to £7,700 for the average family.
Overall UK inflation, which measures the rate at which prices rise, eased for the first time in almost a year in August, slipping to 9.9% from July's 10.1%. The figure was not as bad as feared but economists have warned the inflation rate is likely to continue to rise.
Below are the prices of 6 eggs, 4 pints of milk and mature cheddar cheese at six major UK supermarket chains. We have compared supermarket own brands where possible, but not value or premium ranges.
Waitrose and Morrisons do not stock cheese in 400g blocks, so the price per kg has been included to help make a comparison, along with the price per litre of milk and the price for one egg.
All prices were correct as of September 14, 2022.
Aldi
Cowbelle Fresh British Semi-skimmed milk, 4 pints (2.27L): £1.45 (64p per litre)
Emporium Mature Cheddar Cheese, 400g: £2.39 (£5.98 per kg)
Merevale Large British Free Range Eggs, 6 pack: £1.39 (23p each)
Asda
ASDA Semi-Skimmed milk, 4 pints (2.27L): £1.45 (63.8p/litre)
ASDA Mature Cheddar Cheese, 400g: £2.85 (£7.12/kg)
ASDA Large Free Range Eggs, 6 pack: £1.55 (25.8p/each)
Tesco
Tesco British Semi-Skimmed Milk, 4 pints (2.27L): £1.45 (£0.64/litre)
Tesco Mature Cheddar, 400g: £2.85 (£7.13/kg)
Tesco Large Free Range Eggs, 6 pack: £1.50 (25p each)
Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's British Semi Skimmed Milk, 4 pints (2.27L): £1.45 (64p/litre)
Sainsbury's British Mature Cheddar, 400g: £2.40 (£6.00/kg)
Sainsbury's Woodland Free Range Large Eggs x6: £1.50 (25p each)
Morrisons
Morrisons British Semi Skimmed Milk 4 Pints (2.27L): £1.55 (68.3p per litre)
Morrisons Mature Cheddar Cheese, 350g (no longer available in 400g pack): £2.99 (£8.54 per kg)
Morrisons Large Free Range Eggs 6 pack: £1.49 (24.8p each)
Waitrose
Waitrose Essential British Free Range Semi Skimmed Milk 4 pints (2.272L): £1.50 (66p/litre)
Waitrose Essential Mature Cheddar 350g (no 400g pack available): £2.50 (£7.15/kg)
Waitrose Eggs British Blacktail Free Range Large, pack of 6: £2.50 (41.7p each)
