THE SNP have warned the UK faces "breaking point" as official figures show UK inflation has jumped to its highest rate since March.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation rose to 2.9% in July, up from a 15-month low of 2.6% in June.
It follows a 13% hike in Ofgem’s energy price cap last month, which increased the average gas and electricity bill by £221 to £1862 a year.
Mike Hardie, deputy director for prices at the ONS, said: “Inflation rose in July, driven by a sharp increase in gas prices following this month’s change to the energy price cap.
“This was the largest rise in gas prices for almost four years."
SNP Economy spokesperson Kirsty Blackman MP said: "This spike in inflation will cause real worry that Brexit Britain is headed for another autumn of soaring fuel, energy and food prices. The new Prime Minister has talked about giving people 'breathing space' but if he doesn't act now family finances in Scotland and across the UK will be at breaking point.
"Andy Burnham will soon learn that better communications won't bring down the cost of living. People in Scotland don't want to hear any more empty promises about 'hope in their hearts' - they want money in their pockets.
She added: “The UK Labour Government has endlessly boasted about confronting the big issues, but they have completely ignored the biggest issue on the horizon for families this autumn. The Bank of England warned earlier this month that prices are set to rise again, energy bills will hit even harder and the public finances of Brexit Britain are broken.
“Andy Burnham should listen to those economic sirens that are ringing louder by the day – and act to protect families ahead of this autumn and winter.”
The ONS said the steep rise in the energy cap, which follows a big jump in wholesale gas prices, was only partly offset by last month’s lower crude oil costs, which had fallen sharply month-on-month in July amid hopes of a resolution to the Middle East conflict.
Crude oil has since rocketed back up above 90 US dollars a barrel as the war shows no sign of ending and the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping route – through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies is normally carried – remains closed.
The latest data also showed Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation rose to 3.2% last month from 3% in June – a key figure, with the July rate used to calculate next year’s train fare increase.
Last November, the then-chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that rail fares in England would be frozen in 2026 – the first such freeze for 30 years – but it is unclear if the Government will extend this for a second year.
