Families being devastated by rip-off rises in cost of living, says watchdog

Families are being devastated by rip-off rises in the cost of living, including a 30% surge in car insurance over the past year, consumer champions have warned.

Home insurance premiums rose 7% while payments for health insurance plans have risen 2% in the last year, latest official figures reveal. At the same time, people renting their home have had to endure an average 8% hike, while education costs — most notably for third level — have also increased.

Dermott Jewell of the Consumers Association of Ireland said that much of the population continues to struggle with rising costs which are “working against families”.