UK households face battle to regain former living standards even if inflation eases

Workers on average incomes are missing out on wage rises as energy bills increase

• UK inflation remains unchanged at 4% as food prices fall
• Which goods and services have changed most in price?

Inflation remains a problem for every household, despite recent falls that have more than halved the consumer prices index since a peak in 2022.

The latest figures for January show gas and electricity bills were pushed higher by Great Britain's regulator, Ofgem, lifting the prices cap by 5%, while restaurants and hotel charges jumped 7% year on year.