Inflation soars to 4.4%

(12/08/08) UNISON members faced with pay cuts are being hit with the steepest inflation increase since records began.Official figures out today reveal the government's preferred CPI measure of inflation jumped from 3.8% in June to 4.4% this month.It is the biggest monthly change since records began in 1997, with the new figure now more than twice the government's official 2% target, which this year’s public service pay offers were based upon.The latest data from the Office of National Statistics shows the largest upward pressure from food prices, which have soared a record 13.7% in the past year. Rising fuel costs have also pushed the figure up.Looking ahead, the International Monetary Fund predicts inflation could hit 5% as recent gas and electricity price rises kick in.Todays figures confirm what UNISON members have been saying for months, said general secretary Dave Prentis.He said members are facing "unparalleled hikes" in the cost of basics such as milk, bread, cheese, petrol, gas and electricity."The government's unjust public sector pay policy means that teaching assistants, nurses, librarians, care workers, home carers, nursery staff and hospital cleaners are having to cope with the biggest rise in inflation since records began, on a real pay cut," he said.Urging the government to rethink, he added: "Instead of targeting the public sector workers who keep this country running smoothly, the government should turn their firepower onto the big city bonuses and corporate fat cats who are the real villains when it comes to fuelling inflation."