‘Nobody is in charge’: Tory peer hits out at ministers over inflation

As rate reaches double digits, Stuart Rose calls lack of government action to shield households horrifying'

• UK inflation hits 10.1%, driven by soaring food and fuel prices
• Analysis: A 13% peak for UK inflation looks optimistic
• UK inflation: which goods and services have risen in price?

The veteran retailer Stuart Rose has urged the government to do more to shield the poorest from double-digit inflation, describing the lack of action as horrifying", with a prime minister on shore leave" leaving a situation where nobody is in charge".

Responding to July's 10.1% headline rate, the Conservative peer and Asda chair said: We have been very, very slow in recognising this train coming down the tunnel and it's run quite a lot of people over and we now have to deal with the aftermath."