A Breakdown of the Rising Cost of Living

Soaring energy prices and inflation, paired with the fact incomes have not increased at the same rate, means millions of people living in the UK risk falling short of what they need for a decent standard of living this winter, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

The extent of inflation within the UK is made tangible by the foundation’s latest report, which shows how a single working adult living in the UK needs to earn at least £293.28 each week in order to reach the minimum standard of living. This is a 26.8 percent increase since 2021, when the average adult needed £231.33 per week. These figures do not include rent and childcare, and so in actual fact, the costs consumers will be paying are higher still.

Our chart shows a breakdown of how much the average working person is likely to spend on food, clothing, transport, social activities and household goods in a week, based on the foundation’s survey. Domestic fuel has more than doubled its cost since this time last year, while food and drink has increased by nearly a third as much again. The costs of social and cultural activities have also risen by around 45 percent.