Session Alignment

Families hit with increase in cost of living

British families have to cough up an extra £ 31,300 a year as food and fuel prices soar at their fastest rate in 17 years .

Prices in supermarkets have climbed at an alarming rate over the past year .

Analysts have warned that prices will increase further still , making it hard for the Bank of England to cut interest rates as it struggles to keep inflation and the economy under control .

To make matters worse , escalating prices are racing ahead of salary increases , especially those of nurses and other healthcare professionals , who have suffered from the government 's insistence that those in the public sector have to receive below-inflation salary increases .

In addition to fuel and food , electricity bills are also soaring . Five out of the six largest suppliers have increased their customers ' bills .