A rise in energy bills has pushed UK inflation to its highest rate for six months.
The inflation rate, which measures price changes over time, rose by more than expected to 2.3% in the year to October, up from 1.7% in September.
Annual gas and electricity bills for a typical household went up by about £149 last month although prices are rising much more slowly than in recent years.
The latest inflation figure comes after the government revealed that an additional 50,000 pensioners will be living in relative poverty next year as a result of cuts to the winter fuel allowance.
Higher inflation pushes up the cost of living for households, and can lead to interest rates remaining at a higher level, making the cost of loans, credit cards and mortgages, more expensive.
Inflation has fallen from its peak in October 2022. Prices are not falling, but are now rising less quickly.
However, there are concerns the cost of living will rise further, with firms warning they will raise prices to cover new taxes in the Budget and, due to potential trade taxes imposed by the US, with Donald Trump pledging a 20% tariff on all imports.
Some charities have already voiced concerns about how less well-off households will cope during the colder months. In September, the government announced the £300 winter fuel payment would be means-tested for all but the poorest pensioners.
It comes as other help for those struggling to pay energy bills has been scaled back.
With temperatures dropping to freezing levels this week, the cost of heating is likely to become a concern for many households.
Although there has been a jump in electricity and gas costs, energy prices are still lower than last winter and the winter before. People using a typical amount of gas and electricity are currently paying £1,717 under the energy price cap, which is set by the regulator Ofgem.
The cap fixes the maximum price paid for each unit of energy across Britain. Different rules apply in Northern Ireland.
Derek Lickorish, non-executive chairmanof energy supplier Utilita, said he had seen a 60% increase over summer in customers asking the company for help with bills.
“Now it’s really cold, that figure is going to be even higher,” he told the BBC, adding that people were “running on empty” after being hit with rising costs through the pandemic and energy crisis.
