Bank of England faces bumpier road after inflation accelerates
GuardianFEB 17
UK: Inflation Rises to 3.0%
Above: A shopper in a Waitrose store in Canary Wharf, East London on Feb. 19, 2025. Image copyright: Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
The latest ONS inflation figures show a modest increase, but the government’s efforts to shield working families are clear. Measures like raising the national minimum wage and freezing fuel duty have been key in easing cost-of-living pressures. While inflation remains a challenge, the focus on boosting sustainable growth continues, aiming to strengthen the economy and ensure more money reaches people’s pockets.
Right narrative
The latest data exposes Labour’s economic mismanagement. Despite promises of growth, their policies have only fueled higher prices, leaving families and businesses struggling. Tax hikes and inflation-busting pay rises are pushing costs up across the board. With interest rates likely to remain high, Labour's misguided economic strategy is causing real pain for households, threatening stagnation and mortgage misery for millions.