The cost of living in the UK increased by a record amount in August, with rising gas and food prices now prompting fears for family budgets over the winter and Christmas period.
Last month NationalWorld revealed the 20 food and drink items that had seen the biggest price hikes in the last year, with food as a whole becoming 0.2% more expensive in the year to August.
Margarine topped the table, with a massive annual increase of 13.4%. There were also big price increases for items such as cakes and pastries, offal, lamb and ice cream.
The data was based on the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI), published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which rose by a record 3.2% in the year to August. Figures for September are due out later this month.
But what about non-food products?
The CPI is a measure of inflation that weighs changes in the average price of a basket of goods and services used by households, which can range from energy to haircuts, clothes to plants, personal carers to public transport.
The overall CPI increase masks larger spikes in distinct goods and services, many for activities thought to have increased in popularity during the pandemic – from sewing and gardening, to DIY and camping.
Some year-on-year increases may be temporary, brought about by low costs last year thanks to measures designed to stimulate the economy, such as Eat Out to Help Out and the VAT discount for businesses.
Here we reveal the 21 non-food and beverage goods and services with the biggest price hikes in the 12 months to August, according to the ONS.
17. Clothing accessories
Haberdashery items such as thread, yarn, buttons and other items for making or repairing clothing saw average price increases of 8.5%. Photo: Pixabay
18. Plants and flowers
Green-fingered hobbyists may have felt the squeeze in the last year, with prices of plants and flowers for both indoor and outdoor use rising by 8.4%. This does not include garden products such as soil, peat, fertilizers or plant pots. Photo: Pixabay
19. Tyres
Tyres and inner tubes for cars, bikes and motorcycles increased in price by an average of 8.2%. Photo: Pixabay
20. Holiday centres, camping sites, youth hostels and similar accommodation services
Like the catered accommodation already mentioned in 15th place, prices also increased for self-catered accommodation such as camping sites and youth hostels, with rises of 8.1%. Photo: Pixabay