logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2022
24m 48s

The UK’s cost of living

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Rishi Sunak begins his leadership in a time of crisis. He inherits an economy with inflation at more than 10 percent - its highest rate in 40 years - and rising food prices. During his first address as prime minister, Rishi Sunak warned there was no doubt the UK faced “a profound economic challenge.” James Reynolds speaks to several people struggling to survive. They share their tips for stretching every penny - from batch cooking to freezing bread and defrosting two slices at a time for sandwiches. We also hear from several single mothers who, despite having jobs, are all finding it increasingly difficult to afford everyday necessities.

Up next
Today
Ark of the dry lands
Researchers in Morocco are developing dry-land agriculture at ICARDA (the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas). It is home to a gene bank, in which around 150,000 different seed-types are kept in perfectly calibrated cold vaults, and duplicated to prot ... Show More
26m 29s
Yesterday
Bonus. World of Secrets: The Killing Call
Sidhu Moose Wala explodes onto the Canadian music scene. His sound is a fusion of two worlds - hip-hop with the poetic language of rural Punjab, where he is from. After years of struggle he is making it. But with the spotlight comes a dark side. As his fame grows, so do the threa ... Show More
35m 54s
Jul 8
Re-homing France’s immigrant workers
France’s last foyers – housing for immigrant workers – are set for demolition. But some current residents are worried about what they’ll lose. Hundreds of “foyers” - housing units especially for immigrant workers – were built after World War II. The economy was booming and France ... Show More
27m 11s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2022
Cost of living crisis
Prices around the world are rising at their fastest level for years. Rising energy prices and a surge in demand after the pandemic lockdown have pushed up the prices of many of the goods that we rely on and our wages are not keeping pace. Tamasin Ford looks at the factors behind ... Show More
18m 12s
Mar 2022
The True Cost of Food
The price of food is rising alongside fuel, energy and other costs, and experts are warning that households face the biggest squeeze on disposable incomes for at least 30 years. On average the lowest income families spend twice as much on food and housing bills as the richest fam ... Show More
28m 29s
Apr 2023
Money Box Live: Cost of Food
Grocery prices have increased by 17.1% in the four weeks to 19th February, meaning it’s at the highest level they’ve ever been recorded. This could mean households see over £800 extra on their annual food shop (Kantar). With grocery inflation being the second most important finan ... Show More
27m 58s
Dec 2022
Money Box Live: Your Spending Strategies
The surge in inflation is hitting wide and hitting deep, impacting everything from energy and fuel, to food and everyday household goods. With inflation this high, the effects are leading to significant changes in the way lives are being lived – well beyond those on low incomes. ... Show More
28m 23s
May 2023
Food Insecurity
Soaring food prices mean putting food on the table is a daily struggle. This is the grim reality for millions around the world. But hunger, so long a feature in lower-income countries, is becoming a familiar picture in richer ones too. James Gallagher reports from the UK, one of ... Show More
27m 57s
May 2022
Is there a solution to the cost of living crisis?
Many countries are reporting major increases in the prices of food, housing and energy. It's being called a 'cost of living' crisis, and developing nations are hurting the most. Is there a way out? Join host Kim Vinnell. Guests: Jeevun Sandher - Economist & Political Scientist at ... Show More
22m 39s
Jun 2022
13/06/22 - salmon and rising egg costs
All week on Farming Today we're looking at the salmon industry - from wild populations to salmon farming. Scottish salmon is the UK’s biggest fresh food export with overseas sales hitting £614 million in 2021, up 36 per cent from 2020. But it can be a controversial topic and we h ... Show More
11m 34s
Nov 2022
Can tax rises and spending cuts help the UK economy?
Inflation in the UK is at its highest level in more than 40 years. Millions of people are suffering in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis. The government has announced tax increases and spending cuts to calm the economy. But will it be enough? Join host Hashem Ahelbarra.  Guest ... Show More
21m 30s
Jun 2023
Why is Britain getting inflation so wrong?
Despite the Prime Minister's pledge to halve inflation by the end of the year it's the Bank of England's job to deliver on that. Why is it struggling and what happens if it fails?Britain's facing an inflation crisis. Core inflation - which measures underlying inflation and disreg ... Show More
28m 47s