英国食品通胀率涨幅创18个月新高

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights the significant rise in food prices in the UK, with the August food inflation rate reaching 4.2%, the highest in 18 months, driven by increased costs of essential items like eggs and butter [1][2] - The British Retail Consortium (BRC) reports that the overall store price inflation is rising despite a 0.8% decrease in non-food prices, indicating that food price increases are a major contributor to the overall inflation [1] - The BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson, attributes the price hikes to strong demand, supply constraints, and rising labor costs, while also noting that climate change and crop diseases are affecting cocoa prices [1][2] Group 2 - The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported a 4.9% year-on-year increase in food and non-alcoholic beverage prices in July, up from 4.5% in June, indicating a persistent inflation trend [1] - The BRC anticipates that food inflation could rise to 6% later this year, reflecting ongoing pressures on household budgets as families reassess their spending [2] - Energy prices are also expected to rise, with Cornwall Insight predicting a 1% increase in the energy price cap to £1,737, exacerbating the financial strain on households [2]