Stubborn inflation is putting pressure on family finances in run-up to Christmas

date: 18 December 2012

embargo: For immediate release

Commenting on the latest inflation figures published today (Tuesday) by the Office for National Statistics - which show that CPI inflation did not fall as expected in November and remained at 2.7 per cent, while RPI inflation fell from 3.2 to 3 per cent - TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'The stubbornness of inflation, combined with poor wage growth, is putting real pressure on people's finances in the run up to Christmas.

'With the Office for Budget Responsibility not expecting real wage growth until 2014 and further cuts to in-work benefits due this April, 2013 looks like being another tough a year for working families.

'Today's figures are also another reminder of how painful the forthcoming benefits uprating cap will be for low-income families.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The latest inflation figures are available at http://bit.ly/R33Ea8

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

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Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07887 572130 E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk