Inflation figures released today from the Office of National Statistics show UK inflation hitting 9.4% in the year to June, the highest level since February 1982.

Commenting on the figures, Newcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell stated:

“The cost of living crisis is deepening month on month and today’s figures will be worrying to already hard-pressed families struggling. Even more concerning are the increases in food prices, with food prices rising by 9.8% driven by increases in essentials such as milk, eggs and vegetables.

“With school holidays starting, families are going to be struggling to put food on the table, when we are already seeing shameful levels of child poverty in our region.

“The Government needs to get serious and implement urgent measures to support households. Yet with a caretaker Prime Minister and Chancellor in Downing Street, and Conservative MPs distracted, they are failing to act. By the time the Conservatives have elected another new leader, we will already be facing a difficult winter with taxes increasing and fuel and food prices soaring.

“The Government are simply not serious about addressing the issues that people are facing in Newcastle and across our country. After 12 years of Conservative mismanagement, we need a Labour Government on the side of hard-pressed households to provide the real support they need”.