Rishi Sunak boasted to MPs that his Government was "halving inflation" as new figures today show the cost of living rose last month.
The Prime Minister appeared to forget that the latest Office for National Statistics figures show UK inflation rose to 10.4% in February, up from 10.1% in January.
Analysts had expected the figure to drop to 9.9% after it started to fall from the 41-year high of 11.1% in October.
But rising food prices, driven largely by the salad and vegetable shortages, sent inflation rising again - with food prices leaping by 18.3% in a year.
However in a PMQs clash with Labour leader Keir Starmer, the PM stuck to his script, saying: “We are getting on. We are halving inflation.”
He made slashing inflation a key pledge for 2023 - and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said forecasts show it will fall to 2.9% by the end of the year.
But he was mocked by MPs for failing to acknowledge that it had risen today.
Labour MP Emma Hardy tweeted: "Blimey. The PM seriously just told the House of Commons that he’s halving inflation on the day that inflation has gone up."
Shadow Minister Alison McGovern also posted the figures, adding: "But don't worry cause Rishi Sunak just told us at #pmqs he's halving it."
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Labour MP Kate Osborne blasted him for saying it was working when Brits are struggling to afford their weekly food shop.
“Millions are living in food and fuel poverty because of this government’s failures,” she said.
“How on earth can the Prime Minister claim his plan is working? Or is it in his eyes a success that so many people are struggling with their weekly food shop?”
Mr Sunak replied: "Since 2010, there are 2 million fewer people living in poverty thanks to the actions of this and previous Conservative Governments.
"Of course no one wants to see people struggling with week-to-week bills like food which is why it's so imperative we stick to our economic plan."
Downing Street said Rishi Sunak remains confident he will fulfil his pledge of halving inflation this year.
Asked about the rise, the Prime Minister's spokesman said: "This illustrates reducing inflation is not something that is automatic, it's not something we're on a glidepath to do, it requires discipline and making difficult decisions - that's why we want to stick with our plan to get inflation under control."
