Babak Belurs

Rabu, 23 Maret 2022

February rise in food prices largest for 10 years as inflation soars - BBC

Food prices saw their largest rise in February for 10 years as inflation continued to soar, according to official figures.

Prices rose by 6.2% in the 12 months to February - the fastest for 30 years - as fuel, energy and food costs surged.

Soaring costs are squeezing household budgets, laying bare the challenge the chancellor faces ahead of his spring spending statement.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak faces growing calls to offer more support.

Prices are rising faster than wages and the Bank of England thinks inflation could hit double digits this year if energy prices continue to rise.

There is speculation Mr Sunak could cut fuel duty, boost benefits and raise the threshold for National Insurance when he sets out his Spring Statement later on Wednesday.

Inflation is the rate at which prices rise. If a bottle of milk costs £1 and that rises by 5p, then milk inflation is 5%.

Since December last year, prices have been rising at their fastest rate since the 1990s.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: "Rising inflation remains a significant concern for the economy, squeezing household incomes and increasing cost pressures on retailers."

Inflation is expected to accelerate in April when the energy price cap is increased. This will push up the average household fuel bill up by £693 a year in England, Scotland and Wales, while a planned rise in National Insurance will also put pressure on household budgets.

In February, gas prices were almost a third higher than a year earlier, and electricity prices were up by nearly a fifth, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

Petrol and diesel price rises also pushed up the cost of living - February had the highest average diesel price recorded by the ONS - while clothes and footwear, furniture, and food and drink also rose in price.

Grant Fitzner, chief economist at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said prices had risen for a wide range of goods and services, from food to toys and games.

"Clothing and footwear saw a return to traditional February price rises after last year's falls when many shops were closed.

"Furniture and flooring also contributed to the rise in inflation as prices started to recover following new year sales.

"The price of goods leaving UK factories has also been rising substantially and is now at its highest rate for 14 years."

Cost pressures

As pandemic restrictions have eased around the world, firms have faced higher energy, shipping and wage costs, which they have passed on to consumers.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has also led to higher prices for oil and other commodities.

Andrew Selley is chief executive of Bidfood, one of the largest UK food wholesalers, which supplies more than 45,000 caterers and food firms.

He told the BBC's Today programme that food prices were rising fast. "We're seeing much bigger increases on things like cooking oil, chicken, cheese, butter. Nothing exotic - these are standard food staples and we're seeing much bigger increases in those at the moment."

Mr Selley said that compared with last year the price of diesel was up by 40%, while "if I look at our electricity price that's 250% up on last year and those two things together make up over 10% of our total costs".

He added that a cut in fuel duty would help. "I mean, fuel is obviously a driver across the whole industry, both from getting it from the farmer to the manufacturer, from the manufacturers to ourselves and from ourselves to the customers, so any relief on fuel would help to mitigate some of those increases coming through."

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2022-03-23 08:16:57Z
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Selasa, 22 Maret 2022

St Helens dog attack: Girl aged 17 months killed at home - BBC

A 17-month-old girl has died after being attacked by a dog in her home.

Bella-Rae Birch died in hospital after the attack in St Helens at about 15:50 GMT on Monday, Merseyside Police said.

Officers said her "absolutely devastated" family had only bought the dog a week ago.

Police will carry out tests on the animal, which was killed by officers, to see if it was an illegal breed, as well as trying to identify its previous owners.

The attack happened at the family's home in Bidston Avenue in the Blackbrook area of St Helens.

One neighbour, who is due to go to university to train as a paramedic, said the child's parents were "hysterical".

"We pulled up from school and heard screaming. I just ran over to try to help and started CPR until the paramedics took over," she said.

"I didn't see the dog, I was just focusing on helping the baby."

Another neighbour who helped to give CPR said: "The parents doted on the children. It's too upsetting to say anything else."

Neighbour Joanne Matthews said she saw an ambulance outside the house and then about 10 police vehicles arrived.

"I saw them bring the dog out. I couldn't tell what breed it was but from the back it looked like a Staffordshire bull terrier or pit bull," she said.

Ms Matthews, 53, said the toddler was "a beautiful little girl".

"I'd see the family in passing, just to say hello, and they were always very pleasant," she said.

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she got home when the area was busy with police.

"The mum was on the field at the front of the house crying. She was hysterical," she said.

"It is usually very quiet here and safe for children, but when you hear something like this has happened it is so distressing."

At the scene

By BBC North West Tonight reporter Yunus Mulla

Police car outside house with two police officers

Two police officers remain at the family's home this morning.

The streets are quiet as people come to terms with the tragedy.

It is the early stages of the investigation and police are carrying out house-to-house inquiries and looking at CCTV footage.

As officers conduct tests to see what breed of dog it was, and try to trace its previous owners, they are also reassuring neighbours who are shocked and distressed at the attack.

Anyone who witnessed anything in the area at the time, or who has information about the dog, has been asked to contact police.

Det Insp Lisa Milligan said: "This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the child's family at this devastating time.

"Whilst we are in the very early stages of the investigation into this extremely tragic incident we can confirm that the dog was only bought by the family a week ago."

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said she was "devastated to hear news that a young girl tragically lost her life".

"Thoughts are with her family and loved ones," she tweeted.

She said police and St Helens Council were supporting the family and the local community.

St Helens Labour councillor Jeanie Bell said the girl's death was "absolutely awful".

She tweeted: "I cannot begin to imagine the heartbreak for their family."

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