'Pain now and more pain to come' as household bills soar

The surge in the price of food is particularly challenging for households that were already pinched, and economists warn that further price rises are to be expected. File picture: Aaron Chown/PA

Households have been warned of “pain now and more pain to come” as food and energy prices last month surged at the highest rate since records began.

As well as record energy price hikes, consumers face sharp rises in staples such as milk, bread, pasta, and sugar. And, experts warn, these rising prices could soon “seep in” to other parts of the economy.