The price of food bought by poorer people during the cost of living crisis rose more quickly than it did for those with higher incomes, according to new research.
Goods disproportionately consumed by people on lower incomes became more expensive faster than costlier kinds of food, thinktank the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said.
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While overall food inflation was 15.8%, it was far higher (at 36.2%) for the cheapest 10% of all food ranges, such as inexpensive pasta and butter.
The result was that the cost of living crisis caused by inflation was worse for the lowest earners. Higher inflation experienced by those low earners equated to an extra £100 a year, the IFS said.
People who earn less spend a greater proportion of their incomes on food, the body said.
‘Unprecedented’
Rising food inflation meant poor people spent more of their money on food, meaning they experienced an overall higher rate of their inflation.
Such a gulf is unprecedented, the thinktank added.
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High energy costs after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine accelerated already elevated costs after supply chain problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Official figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed food inflation peaked at 17.8% in April 2023. But many foods increased in price by far more over the last three years – including during the 2021-23 cost of living crisis period.
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The period of time looked at by the IFS was September 2021 to September 2023.
The IFS findings are not evident in the ONS data, the body that compiles and circulates official statistics.
A spokesperson for the ONS said: “Our previous analysis indicated that the prices of the cheapest items changed in line with average prices.
“However, from March next year we will be calculating our grocery prices using supermarket scanner data, which will show us both the price and quantity of every item sold, ensuring all items are taken account of, marking a step change in our understanding of inflation.”