Cost of Living

Cost of Living

Britain has been hit by a cost of living crisis which has seen the costs of everyday essentials such as energy, transport and food rise faster than household incomes.

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Latest Cost of Living News

From April 1, first-time buyers started paying stamp duty on properties costing more than £300,000.

House sales ‘plunge’ in April as stamp duty deadline ends buyer stampede

London, England, UK. 28th May, 2025. Chief Secretary to the Treasury DARREN JONES is seen in Downing Street. (Credit Image: © Thomas Krych/ZUMA Press Wire) EDITORIAL USAGE ONLY! Not for Commercial USAGE! Credit: ZUMA Press, Inc./Alamy Live News

Millionaires should not get subsidy for energy bills, says Treasury minister

Renters have seen costs rise twice as fast as people who own their homes outright in the last year, underscoring the growing social divide caused by the housing crisis.

UK renters suffering worst effects of housing crisis, as costs rise twice as fast as homeowners

School pupils queue at hot counter waiting to be served by kitchen staff in school refectory UK

Growing number of pupils missing school because they cannot afford meals, uniforms and trips

A shopper in a supermarket

Grocery price inflation surges to 4.1%

A woman with a shopping trolley full of groceries in a supermarket aisle on May 22, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales.

Food prices increase for fourth month in a row as customers warned of ‘more difficult times ahead’

The meal deal, a combination of a sandwich, snack and drink, has been a staple for UK workers for decades.

Best value supermarket meal deals revealed - as cost of lunch deals continues to creep up

With its golden beaches and associations with luxury lifestyles, Sandbanks in Dorset has been identified as Britain's most expensive seaside location

Britain’s most expensive seaside towns and cheaper ‘hidden gems’ revealed

Ms Chapman is campaigning for a cap on how much landlords can raise rent in the UK

Single mother landed with 20% rent increase calls for rent controls

Dogs led the pack, making up £933 million in claims, followed by cats at £232 million, and £61 million for other pets.

Record high £1.23 billion paid out in pet insurance claims in 2024, data reveals

The pound's value against the dollar is at it's highest since February 2022.

Pound hits strongest value against US dollar in three years as travellers urged to exchange cash

Ms Kendall said the scheme would "make sure every young person is earning or learning and gets the chances and choices they deserve to build a better life".

Liz Kendall vows to give young people ‘chances and choices’ for a better life

Rachel Reeves in hi-vis

Tax rises ‘feel inevitable’ after jump in Government borrowing

A piggy bank being held

Some first-time buyers accessing bumper Lifetime Isa deposits of £50,000-plus

Estate agents' boards

UK house price growth accelerated as buyers rushed to beat stamp duty deadline

Groceries in a shopping trolley in a supermarket

Examples of where inflation jumped in April – and where it eased

The Bank of England, London, UK

UK inflation rate soars to 3.5% in year to 'Awful April' - driven by sharp rises in household bills

A British Bulldog Sat on a Union Jack Rug

British bulldog considered a 'status symbol' as pet becomes Britain's most expensive dog breed

The class action against Mastercard dates back to 2016

Millions of Brits set to receive £70 each as Mastercard ordered to pay compensation after legal battle

Tesco supermarket logo outside the store on Old Kent Road on 8th May 2024 in London, United Kingdom.

Tesco launches wedding gift basket including bin bags and toilet roll as newlyweds struggle to afford essentials

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves speaks during a reception following the UK-EU summit, in London, Monday May 19, 2025. (Hannah McKay/Pool via AP)

Rachel Reeves U-turns on plans to cut ISA limit to £4k

A gas stove lets off a blue flame inside a household kitchen.

Energy price cap to fall by 7% in weeks as millions of UK households set to benefit from lower bills

A close-up of the hands of an elderly person on March 18, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales.

Care workers should be given £2,000 pay rise as treatment of workforce a ‘national scandal’ according to report

Food bank demand

Major supermarkets team up for new campaign to fight hunger in the UK

Skyline of Edinburgh at dusk looking East down Royal Mile

This UK destination is the most expensive city break in western Europe

Money can be an ongoing stress for many people, particularly in today’s economy with a cost-of-living crisis, inflation and rising bills.

3 financial experts reveal the money tips they want you to know

New figures show the issue has grown over 50% in two years, as fraudsters pretending to be brokers are increasingly targeting young drivers who face higher premiums.

New drivers warned of ‘ghost brokers’ as fake car insurance scams increase 50% in last 2 years

UK Finance said that, although repossession numbers increased, they remain low compared with the longer-term.

18% quarterly jump in homeowner mortgage repossessions

Water firm United Utilities' profit more than doubled last year before it hit customers with a steep rise in bills in April.

Customers hit with 32% increase in bills after North West water firm’s profit more than doubles

Banknotes and coins on top of a council tax bill

Martin Lewis welcomes plans to consult on fairer council tax debt collection

Households' trust in water companies has fallen to a new low amid a sewage crisis and rising bills, an annual survey has found.

Trust in water companies falls to new low amid sewage crisis and rising bills, survey finds

The ONS said the rate of unemployment rose to 4.5% in the quarter to March, up from 4.4% in the three months to February.

Unemployment rate hits near four-year high amid soaring costs

More Latest News

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France is introducing a nationwide ban on smoking in outdoors places frequented by children

France to ban smoking on beaches, parks and near schools

Breaking
Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast in England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)

Russian captain of ship in North Sea oil tanker crash pleads not guilty to manslaughter

Amad Diallo has spoken out after he was spotted making an obscene gesture in Malaysia

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo says no regrets about obscene gesture to fans as real reason emerges

Former CIA boss David Petraeus has warned Russia could launch an attack in Lithuania

Former CIA boss reveals which European country Putin plans to invade next

Stock image of a person using a EV charger for their car

Drivers can save £1,100 a year with scheme starting this week

Smoke rises from wildfire in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada, as thousands flee their homes.

Wildfires tear through Canada as thousands flee their homes

Prime Minister Hosts Reception For UK And EU Businesses

Reeves to unlock £100bn spending on roads & energy to boost left-behind areas

Reece Khan from Lincoln who was told his cancer had returned and spread to his brain on his 16th birthday in April. His family are now working with the charity Anthony Nolan to find a stem cell donor.

Families desperate plea after boy told cancer had returned on 16th birthday

Russell Brand arriving at court today

Russell Brand pleads not guilty to rape and sexual assault charges

Paul Doyle arrives in court charged with seven driving offences.

'Tearful' Ex-Marine Commando Paul Doyle, 53, appears in court to face Liverpool parade crash charges

Desperate search for British woman after holidaymaker vanishes on dream Caribbean getaway

Desperate search for British holidaymaker after vanishing on dream Caribbean getaway

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt split in 2016.

Brad Pitt breaks silence on divorce from Angelina Jolie for the first time since pair split

Exclusive
The knife crime generation: Watch LBC's special investigation into the crisis plaguing Britain's schools

The knife crime generation: Watch LBC's special investigation into the weapons crisis plaguing Britain's schools

Exclusive
The knife crime generation: Watch LBC's special investigation into the crisis plaguing Britain's schools

'Their parents don’t know': 14 and 16-year-old questioned after police raid over Snapchat knife sales

File photo dated 11/8/2021 of Captain Sir Tom Moore's daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore during the official opening of a new garden at the Helen and Douglas House children's hospice in Oxford.

Captain Tom's daughter and her husband pay themselves double previous year's earnings - as firm £117,000 in the red

A woman has died after four elderly customers were reportedly fighting close to the flower and plant area outside as Lidl supermarket.

Woman, 71, dies after 'brawl' outside Lidl as two arrested for manslaughter

Latest News

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Used E-Cigarettes

'And I would drive 200 miles': Scottish corner shop 'run off feet' as vapers flock from England to 'stockpile' vapes
The former police inspector had been with Greater Manchester Police for nearly 30 years.

Disgraced inspector scheduled hundreds of sex worker meetings on GMP-issued phone

Smokey Robinson attends the arrivals of Cedric the Entertainer's Celebrity Golf Classic in 2024. (Photo by Corine Solberg/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News

Smokey Robinson sues sexual assault accusers for $500m

The fire caused a thick, dark smoke to fill the area.

Firefighters battle East London shop blaze with 125 firefighters at peak

A nurse takes blood during a blood test at a doctor's surgery.

NHS to roll out ‘revolutionary’ blood test for lung cancer

Luke Humphries celebrates with the trophy after winning the final against Luke Littler during the BetMGM Premier League Play-Offs at The O2, London.

Luke Humphries beats Luke Littler in Premier League Darts final as he bags Triple Crown

Jeffrey Epstein, the American financier and convicted sex offender, was found dead in his cell in 2019.

FBI to release 'clear as day' tape 'confirming Jeffery Epstein's prison suicide'

Sean 'Diddy' Combs.

Sean 'Diddy' Comb's ex-assistant alleges rapper raped her as she slept

Asian World Film Festival Closing Night

Big Trouble in Little China actor Peter Kwong dies aged 73

Galloway Forest Park

Scottish government abandons plans to create national park in Galloway

The News Explained

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Crowded Piccadilly Line train at station on London Underground

Piccadilly Line to part-close this weekend for two weeks: Here's what you need to know

Rishi Sunak outside 10 Downing Street

Rishi Sunak facts: Height, wife, children and policies revealed

Big Freeze

Arctic blast sets off government's Cold Weather Payment - but are you eligible for the £25 off energy bills?

Royals

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Prince William, the Duke of Cornwall, speaks with farmers.

Prince William promises to be a 'force for good' as supporting farmers is a 'branch of philanthropy'
Meghan 'cuddled Prince Archie for the rest of the night' after he hit a milestone.

Meghan reveals profound impact of major ‘mum moment’ with Prince Archie

A rare royal mourning ring worth thousands of pounds which is up for auction after being bought from a charity shop in Leicester for just £15

Rare royal mourning ring worth thousands up for auction after being bought from charity shop for £15

Highlights & Opinion

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The last minute rescue of British Steel is not a win. It demonstrates how uncompetitive our nation has become
Cedric Neal, Desmonda Cathabel, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Femi Akinfolarin and Laura Delany, in the Hadestown.

Hadestown: A wonderful West End spectacle with memorable music

President Zelenskyy

Defiant and unrepentant: My meeting with Zelenskyy, writes Andrew Marr

The UK is stuck in a morass of mediocrity triggered by indecisive action over two decades.

The UK is stuck in a morass of mediocrity triggered by indecisive action over two decades

Kanye West recently went on an "antisemitic rampage" on X.

There can be no debate about Kanye West - he clearly hates Jewish people and should be challenged on it
My apprenticeship took me from school leaver to radio producer at 19 - here’s why it’s a path worth exploring

My apprenticeship took me from school leaver to radio producer at 19 - here’s why it’s a path worth exploring
David Lammy and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

China is targeting critics on British soil - so why is David Lammy rolling out the red carpet?
Now that Trump has released the classified files on JFK when is the UK going to do the same with Diana and David Kelly?

Now that Trump has released the classified files on JFK when is the UK going to do the same with Diana and David Kelly?
Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Dying Commission makes a safe Bill even safer.

Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Dying Commission makes a safe Bill even safer

Why should alcohol be allowed at the World Cup in Saudi Arabia?

Why should alcohol be allowed at the World Cup in Saudi Arabia?

More Topics

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War in Ukraine

Cost of Living Crisis

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Immigration

Crime & Police

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NHS

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