WITH latest inflation figures matching their record high, charities are warning that people are going without food and heat, and struggling to fill up their cars so they can get to work.

Official figures released on Tuesday show that the consumer prices index rose from 4.5 per cent to 5.2 per cent last month, equalling the record peak of September 2008.

The higher than expected surge was driven by a jump in utility bills, with gas increasing by an average of 13 per cent and electricity by 7.5 per cent. The CPI figure will be used to set next April’s rise in state benefits.

Richard Bristow, manager of Poole’s Citizens’ Advice Bureau, said: “Most of the people we see are on relatively low incomes.

“Increasingly over the last year we’ve seen people who work in the statutory sector, such as the NHS, local authorities, police and fire brigade, whose salaries have been frozen for the last couple of years.

“These inflation figures just make people despair of how they will meet ever-increasing costs on their frozen incomes. We’re seeing lots of people who are squeezed constantly.

“The cost of trying to get to work, of filling the car up with diesel or petrol, is a real issue for them.

“They’re using credit cards and the ever-spiralling cost of living has a significant effect. It’s been several years since wage increases were matching inflation.”

Mr Bristow said: “For older people on a basic pension, even if it increases by inflation, it’s not enough to match the biggest cost they have, which is fuel.

“They will cut back on food and turn the heating down.

“Often parents will go without food so their children can eat.”

David Leighton, chief officer of Age UK Bournemouth, said: “Older people tend to be much harder hit.

“They don’t tend to have mortgages but the interest rates on their saving are low.

“We are deeply concerned about inflation in general, but particularly about increasing food and fuel.”

Pensioners being hit the hardest

Saga says pensioners have been the hardest hit by inflation since the credit crunch started.

Over the last four years the cost of living for the whole population rose by 14.4 per cent, but for 50- to 64-year-olds the rise was 18.5 per cent; 65-74s 20 per cent, and over 75s 20.2 per cent.

The annual growth rate of electricity, gas and other fuel prices was 18.3 per cent in September, up from 7.7 per cent in August. The Government is cutting pensioners’ winter fuel payments by £100 for over 80s and by £50 for all others.