A huge jump in inflation that has seen prices rising quicker than at any time over the last 30 years is putting pressure on household budgets.
And apart from soaring energy bills, one of the main places you'll notice your pound not going as far is at the supermarket checkout, reports the MEN.
This didn;t escape the notice of poverty and inequality campaigner Jack Monroe, who broke down in forensic detail the shocking price hikes of food staples, including a 141% price increase in pasta in comparison to last year.
