Why isn't the government doing more to help heat homes?published at 14:23 British Summer Time 19 October 2022

14:23 BST 19 October 2022

Kevin Peachey
Cost of living correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Question: John Roberts asks: "Millions of people rely on heating oil to heat their homes. Why isn't the government doing more to help them?"

Answer: The use of heating oil is widespread.

The cost is a particular issue in Northern Ireland where it is used by 68% of the population, mostly in rural areas.

The government has promised a £100 payment to people who use heating oil to help with their bills.

A review by the Treasury into what happens next with support for energy bills will clearly have to take this issue into consideration too.

How much further will energy bills rise?published at 14:16 British Summer Time 19 October 2022

14:16 BST 19 October 2022

Myron Jobson
Senior personal finance analyst, Interactive Investor

Image source, Getty Images

Question: Alan Lee, a lecturer in biomedical science at University of Sunderland, asks: "I’ve just started working in the UK and while the cost of living is similar to Hong Kong and Singapore, energy prices are much higher. How much higher do experts think they’ll rise?"

Answer: I hope you are sitting down for this answer, Alan. According to energy analyst Cornwall insights, the average annual energy bill could go up by 73% from the current £2,500 to £4,347 a year from April 2023. To put this into context, the average annual energy bill in October 2021 was £1,277.

The £4,347 figure is based on energy use for the average household so many people will end up paying a lot more, or less. Bigger families and retired households are also likely to end up with a bigger bill.

The government has committed to an "energy price guarantee" that means the average annual bill would be £2,500 until April next year.

The details of support from April will be decided following a review. While the chancellor said lower incomes would be supported, the prevailing sentiment is many people will pay more for their energy. But nothing is set in stone.

Image source, .

How much higher could grocery costs go?published at 14:09 British Summer Time 19 October 2022

14:09 BST 19 October 2022

Kevin Peachey
Cost of living correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Question: Donna Scott, who's self-employed and lives in Sunderland, asks: "I don’t think grocery costs will go back down any time soon but how much higher could they go?"

Answer: Everyone is feeling the impact of the rising cost of groceries.

UK food prices have increased at their fastest rate for 42 years – a key feature in the latest inflation figures which chart the rising cost of living.

That is not the end of it. Research firm Kantar has predicted that grocery prices will rise by £12 a week – or £643 a year – putting further pressure on people’s budgets.

The war in Ukraine has been a major factor in driving up prices at the supermarket tills this year.

It's time to answer your questionspublished at 14:03 British Summer Time 19 October 2022

14:03 BST 19 October 2022

You've sent us plenty of questions about the UK's current cost of living crisis, now it’s time to get answers and advice from our experts.

We're now being joined on this page by the BBC's cost of living correspondent Kevin Peachey.

We’re also joined by Myron Jobson who’s a Senior Personal Finance Analyst at Interactive Investor where he’s responsible for providing analysis on topics including savings, investments, borrowing and the housing market.

NJ Convery
BBC News

Kati Whiteoak volunteers at Grindon Church Community Project, to the west of Sunderland city centre.

She says the charity, like others across the UK, is facing huge rises in its utility bills which could call into question whether they can continue to be there for the community.

“We got a shock recently. Our gas bills were originally £1,700 a year. Then a fortnight ago they sent a revised estimate for £10,000 plus VAT a year.

“We’re a warm space for the city of Sunderland so we need to have our heating on so people can turn theirs off, save money and come in for a warm drink or cup of soup.”

The 67-year old explains that despite being a charity they are treated like a business when it comes to bills and running costs.

Jennifer Meierhans
BBC business reporter

There's a lot of talk about the pensions triple lock today but before we get into it, here's what it is.

The state pension is paid to men and women at the age of 66, but this will reach 67 by 2028.

It is supposed to increase each April in line with whichever of the following three things is highest:

• the previous September's inflation figure
• the average wage increase
• or 2.5%

This is known as the triple lock. It was introduced by the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government in 2010.

In its 2019 election manifesto, the Conservative Party said it would keep the triple lock in place for the duration of this Parliament.

But the triple lock was suspended during Covid because of an unusually large rise in average earnings following the end of the government's furlough scheme.

The Tories said the system would come back from April 2023 - but that was before the inflation figure for September hit 10.1% throwing that into doubt.

This afternoon Prime Minister Liz Truss said she was "completely committed" to the triple lock after Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said he could not give people "certainty" on it.

You can read about it in more detail here.

Coming Up: Your questions answered from 14:00published at 13:33 British Summer Time 19 October 2022

13:33 BST 19 October 2022

Britain's cost of living crisis continues to hit us all in all sorts of ways - from hikes in food prices and energy bills... to banks pulling mortgage deals or increasing prices for fixed term products.

We'll be joined on this page shortly by the BBC's cost of living correspondent Kevin Peachey and personal finance analyst Myron Jobson.

They will be answering your questions about the economic turmoil and offering advice on what you might be able to do.

You can send us your questions by emailing us at - YourQuestions@bbc.co.uk

Fiona Trott
BBC News North of England correspondent

We spoke to businesswoman Jennifer Snaith back in July, who told us how she was having to find smart ways to manage rising costs at her salon Bijoux Beauty in Sunderland.

Out went the heatwave and in came autumn and the cooler weather. But after an already increased gas bill - it had gone up by 25% in the summer - she's had to make some changes.

"We do have a tumble drier for our towels and washable things but it rarely gets used now, that's pretty much been knocked on the head," she says.

"We've got a pulley out the back that we put all the towels on to dry."

As the darker nights draw in, Jennifer is expecting even higher bills.

"Our lights will be on more, the heating will be on more but we're just going to have to do it smartly and economically by condensing the temperature lower and over a shorter period, " she adds.

"We never know what’s around the corner and have to just work month by month."

And the mood in Sunderland right now amid the current climate?

• UK inflation was 10.1% in the 12 months to September, according to the Office for National Statistics
• September's figure is especially important because it is normally used to calculate April's increase in the state pension and some benefits
• PM Liz Truss this afternoon said she was "completely committed" to raising pensions in line with inflation after her spokesman only a day earlier signalled the commitment could be dropped
• When asked during Prime Minister's Question whether benefits will also rise in line with inflation she did not make the same commitment
• A BBC survey of more than 4,000 people suggested some 85% of those asked are now worried about the rising cost of living, up from 69% in a similar poll in January
• We are broadcasting from Sunderland for the launch of Cost of Living; Tackling It Together which shares expertise from aross the BBC to help cope with rising prices
• At 14:00 our cost of living correspondent Kevin Peachey and personal finance analyst Myron Jobson will be answering your questions and offering their advice

Nick Beake
Europe Correspondent, BBC News

Prices are soaring for people across Europe.

The annual inflation rate in September was 10.9% in the European Union, according to figures published this morning by Eurostat, the bloc’s statistical office.

The average rise among the 19 countries that use the euro was slightly lower at 9.9% - but still a record high.

While the average percentage increase may be similar to the UK’s, France is among the big countries faring better with a 6.2% rise – the lowest in the EU.

Greece (12.1%) Germany (10.9%) , Italy (9.4%) and Spain (9%) have similar rates to Britain. The Netherlands’ 17.1% is causing particular concern.

The war in Ukraine has turbocharged the continent’s economic problems. Eurostat has noted that energy prices have gone up by more than 40% in the past year.

The increased cost of food, alcohol and tobacco have also hit consumers across borders.

A year ago, the three Baltic states were already experiencing high levels of inflation, but their rates have soared. Estonia (24.1% ) Latvia (22%) and Lithuania (22.5%) top the annual inflation rates in the EU.

The European Central Bank says it wants to drive down inflation to 2% and has been raising interest rates to try to curb spiralling prices.

We've been reporting the potential impacts of September's inflation rate because it is usually used to set increases in things like the state pension and benefits in April.

It is also used to set business rates, which is the property tax on all things like shops, pubs and hotels.

If that happens with the current inflation figure at 10.1% it means high street firms across England are facing a £2.7bn tax surge, according to experts at Altus Group.

Its UK president Robert Hayton says: "With more than one in 10 UK businesses now reporting a moderate-to-severe risk of insolvency, the time has come to end this ridiculous policy of annually increasing upwards rates revenue by inflation through a renewed focus on growth to drive local taxation revenues instead."

Meanwhile, Kate Nicholls, chief executive of industry group UKHospitality, said the potential rate hike "could prove fatal" for many companies.

She said: "With the September inflation figures traditionally being used to set tax changes and rates for the following year, there is a real risk that hospitality businesses will face an enormous cliff-edge in April if these numbers are used to hike the business rates tax level."

More now from PMQs.

Liz Truss acknowledges that people are struggling amid the cost of living crisis, which she says is why the government's energy price guarantee was introduced and extra support of £1,200 was provided to the most vulnerable.

She was responding to a question from Lib Dem leader Ed Davey.

He said "millions of family carers have been forced to pull back on food and heating" and asked if the prime minister would guarantee that support for the vulnerable, including the carer's allowance, will rise at least in line with inflation.

She does not commit to do so, but adds: "I can assure the right honourable gentleman we will always support the most vulnerable, they will be our priority."

Prime Minister Liz Truss has committed to maintaining the triple-lock on state pensions, which would see them rise by inflation, which is 10.1%.

Truss was asked about the commitment at Prime Minister's Questions by SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford after her new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt signalled it could be dropped as the government seeks to plug a hole in the UK's finances.

Blackford said families were paying "through the teeth" for the PM's recent mistakes and asked about raising pensions in line with inflation.

Truss said: "We have been clear in our manifesto that we will maintain the triple lock and I am completely committed to it and so is the chancellor."

We are keeping across Prime Minister's Questions for reaction to today's inflation rate and any clarity on whether benefits and pensions will be put up in line with the rising cost of living.

It's a very rowdy session today with Labour Leader Keir Starmer kicking off by questioning Liz Truss on "why is she still here?" after she "crashed the economy".

The PM replied by saying: "I have been clear that I'm sorry and have made mistakes.

"But the right thing to do in those circumstances is to make changes, which I've made, and to get on with the job and deliver for the British people."

She says: "I am a fighter not a quitter."

Truss goes on to insist that she has "acted in the public interest to make sure we have a stable economy".

Image source, PA Media

Campaigners are calling on the government to raise benefits in line with inflation and not to wait until next April to to ensure the poorest families do not go cold or hungry this winter.

Figures released today show that inflation is now at 10.1%. This reading is important for the Treasury as the figure is usually used as the benchmark to raise benefits and the state pension.

If the government decides to uprate benefits by inflation, 10.1% is the percentage they will be increased by and this will come into effect from next April.

But campaigners say Chancellor Jeremy Hunt should confirm today if benefits will be uprated in line with inflation - and is calling for the rises to be brought forward.

"It is morally indefensible that the government should still be considering leaving people with even less ability to pay for what they need, when their own party pledged to make sure the value of benefits keeps up with prices only months ago," says Rebecca McDonald, chief economist at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Becca Lyon, head of child poverty at Save the Children, adds: "[The government] cannot wait until April - targeted support for low-income families is needed now to ensure children do not go hungry or cold this winter."

Image source, Getty Images

Millions of households could fall into fuel poverty next year as a result of the axing of the energy price guarantee, campaigners have warned.

The End Fuel Poverty Coalition says the number of households in fuel poverty will rise from seven million to 10.7 million after the government lifts its guarantee limiting the average household energy bill to £2,500 from April.

It will then fall slightly - but will still leave 10.1 million households in fuel poverty in the winter of 2023-24, the group adds.

It describes the outlook as "frankly terrifying" and is urging the government to focus on a new package of support and energy market reforms, alongside investment in home insulation and renewables.

"The new chancellor must work quickly, and with consumer groups and charities, to design a new package of support and energy market reforms that will help those in fuel poverty now and post-April," says Simon Francis, co-ordinator at the coalition.

"But while the political focus on energy bills may now have shifted to next April, millions of the most vulnerable will be living in cold and damp homes this winter and will need further financial and non-financial support."

We'll be keeping a close eye on Prime Minister's Questions, which is coming up very soon - and we'll bring you all the latest on what's said in the Commons on pensions, benefits and the cost of living.

Our colleagues in Westminster are covering every twist and turn for you on this separate live page here.

NJ Convery
BBC News

Julie and Andrea help run the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen which has been providing food for local people for over three years.

As well as cooking free meals for those in need, the charity also runs a food bank. It also helps people with everything from furnishing their homes to paying their gas and electricity bills.

Kitchen manager Julie Southern says that as the cost of living crisis has worsened they've seen a change in the type of people asking for help.

“We have a core group of rough sleepers and older, single men who don’t get much in benefits - but in the last six to eight months we’ve had more normal, everyday working people coming in.

"Their bills are going up and their income isn’t matching their outgoings,” Julie says.

Reality Check

Earlier this morning, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that inflation was “higher in other developed economies”.

The UK’s level of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index, stood at 10.1% in the 12 months to September.

According to the latest estimates by OECD, that's the higest rate of inflation among G7 countries, which are a group of big advanced economies.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that the UK’s inflation will also be the highest in the G7 by the end of 2023.

Of the eurozone countries, only Slovakia will have a higher rate of inflation than the UK by the end of next year, the IMF also says.

One of the areas that you've told us you worry about most is rising food prices, so our colleagues at BBC Food have come up with some suggestions for budget-friendly meal plans.

This plan was created by Justine Pattison, an experienced cookery pro who works on TV shows, with celebrity chefs and for various food brands.

She has focused on recipes that are not only affordable but faff-free, flexible and delicious.

Justine has stuck to a strict ingredient budget of £7 per person for the week, which averages out at just under £1 per portion.

Take a look at her ideas here.