Business

Rising inflation underlines scale of Andy Burnham’s cost of living challenge

The Guardian Business · 19 August 2026 at 09:40

Rising inflation underlines scale of Andy Burnham’s cost of living challenge

PM’s plan to shield households from more pressure risks being overwhelmed by wider price rises UK inflation rises to 2.9% Business live – latest updates July’s increase in inflation, to 2.9% , is likely to be the first of several, underlining the challenge facing Andy Burnham in shielding consumers from a fresh cost of living squeeze this autumn.

Rising energy bills, as an increase in Ofgem’s quarterly price cap came into force, were the main driver of the jump in inflation, from 2.6% in June.

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Rising inflation underlines scale of Andy Burnham’s cost of living challenge

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