Dominic Raab turned the tables today on a BBC presenter’s “gotcha” question by asking how much unleaded petrol cost. He replied: “I’m only checking your in-touch.”
It was after Charlie Stayt (BBC Breakfast) asked the deputy prime Minister how much it costs to buy a litre diesel fuel.
Raab stated that he only buys unleaded and that the price at which he last visited a station was between 165-167p per litre.
Mr Stayt however stated that prices had been rising in recent years.
Then Mr Raab asked Mr Stayt, “Well tell me. What’s one litre of Unleaded today?”
According to the BBC’s presenter, the most expensive diesel he has seen was 1.99 per litre at a M6 M6 station.
Raab again pressed Mr Raab on the price for unleaded.
Stayt stated that the latest unleaded price was 168p.
“I am just trying to make the point that I actually have the right price for a litre unleaded,” replied the deputy prime minister.
The inflation rate reached 9.1% on Wednesday, its highest point since 1982. The 1982 unemployment rate was above 3 million, the highest level since the 1930s. That means that 1 in 8 people are out of work.
It was after Charlie Stayt (BBC Breakfast) asked the deputy prime Minister how much diesel costs.
Following the comment of Mr Stayt about ‘the true world’ Mr Raab asked him, ‘Well, you tell me.’
Experian Catalist statistics indicate that Wednesday’s average petrol price at UK forecourts in the UK was 168.2p. This is up from Tuesday’s 167.6p per gallon.
Diesel prices increased by 181p to a litre (from 180.9p on Wednesday).
After the Competition and Markets Authority warned that it would launch an investigation into the sector, retailers could face a fine for increasing prices.
Andrea Coscelli, CEO, stated, “If enough evidence shows that the fuel tax cuts have not been passed onto consumers, then this would indicate that competition isn’t working well on this market.”
“He must have an unique insight into how the cost of living crises”: The Rich List UK ranks number 222 with Rishi Sunak, and his heiress wife
Martin Robinson is the Chief Reporter at MailOnline
Rishi Sunak and his heiress wife Akshata Murty have built up a joint fortune of £730million – with the Chancellor now the first frontline politician to be named in the Sunday Times Rich List.
Just hours after Sunak told Britons of the dangers of inflation and the rising cost to live, the couple were ranked at number 222 on the list for the Top 250 Richest People in the UK.
The Chancellor, 42, whose wife owns a £430million stake in her Indian tech billionaire father’s IT business, is now the first frontline politician to feature in the annual wealth rankings since its inception in 1989, according to the Times.
Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty have built up a joint fortune of £730million – with the Chancellor now the first frontline politician to be named in the Sunday Times Rich List
Today, fellow minister Dominic Raab, who is himself estimated to be worth £1.3million, praised Mr Sunak’s inclusion on the list describing it as ‘fantastic’.
Social media users were skeptical about the announcement. Many wondered how a multimillionaire chancellor could relate to all the Britons who are facing an increasing cost of living.
One writer wrote, “Does Rishi sunak’s appearance in The Times Rich List provide him with a unique insight into how working class families manage the crisis of cost-of-living?”
One wrote, “Rishi Sunak (and his wife) are on the Times Rich List. They are the richest 250 people in this country. He will definitely help the common people.
“In such a case, we might consider initiating a formal investigation. This could lead to fines and legally binding promises from the companies to alter their behavior.
For 12 months, the government in March cut petrol and diesel fuel duty by 5 pence per barrel across the nation. Although savings were intended to be passed on to customers, prices have risen anyway.
According to the AA, petrol prices were set for their highest levels ever on Sunday. The price of petrol at 180.29p was reported by motoring group. However, petrol prices have soared beyond those levels already this week.
The news comes after money-saving expert Martin Lewis predicted a rise in the energy price cap this winter from £1,971 to £2,600, with the pay increase scheduled for October.
Robert Peston’s ITV interviewed him to say that he is concerned about civil unrest if the cost-of living crisis continues.
Andy Cooke, the new chief inspector for constabulary, stated that poverty is causing an increase in crime and advised officers to exercise their discretion when arresting people who steal food.
Kit Malthouse (police minister) said however that all officers need to enforce the law.
Mr Lewis said a predicted rise in the energy price cap this winter from £1,971 to £2,600 could cause a major increase in disorder.
Robert Peston told him that “I worry about civil turmoil,” he said to Robert Peston on his ITV program last night.
“So, the government must get on top of it. They need to quickly listen to people and stop them making decisions about whether to feed their own children or themselves.
“And that is what we’re in now. We were in relative poverty before this, but we’re now living in absolute poverty.
According to Mr Cooke, he did not give people the right to shoplift but wanted to assure that cases were handled in the best possible way.
He said, “I believe whenever there’s an increase of the cost to live or when more people are falling into poverty, then I’m sure you will see a rise crime.”
“And that’s going be a challenge to policing.
Cooke offered this advice to officers: “What is best for the community and the individual? In the way that they handle these issues?”
“And I definitely support police officers exercising their discretion. They need to exercise discretion more often.
LBC was criticized by Malthouse who said that he thought it was a little old-fashioned. First, we believe that the law should not be read and that police officers must act without favor in the prosecution of law-breakers.
“Secondly, it is not right to state that crime rises with the economy.” In the past we’ve witnessed economic problems, but also times when crime rose or fell.
As an indicator for inflation, the Consumer-Price Index is a measure of how much goods and services have increased in Britain every day.
He was asked by reporters if ministers were going to ensure the police did not ignore shoplifters taking food. I actually wrote to them a year ago to say that they shouldn’t ignore small crimes.
Times Radio reported that Mr Malthouse said the cost-of-living issues people face are extremely difficult for families across the country. But, it doesn’t necessarily follow they are going to commit crime.
Despite growing demands for greater support of the vulnerable during the crisis, Malthouse insists that ministers are providing support to their families.
He added that despite being able to solve all problems, the problem of inflation is still going to continue to grow.
Since 1985, Mr Cooke worked as Chief Constable for Merseyside police before taking over from Sir Tom Winsor as HM chief Inspector of constabulary.
The squeeze is especially felt by shoppers. Discount chains Aldi and Iceland have raised the price of average items in their shops more than bigger chains like Tescos, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons over the past 12 months.
The average Icelandic item costs 31% more now than 12 months ago – an increase of 11% – and Aldi prices are up by 19.6%.
Average price increases have been kept down by the ‘Big Four’ supermarkets Asda (Tesco), Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s.
As inflation continues to rise, wine makers warn consumers that they could have to pay up to one pound more for their most loved tipples.
Rishi Sonak, who announced the reforms in duty rates last year and based them on strength, has been consulting the Treasury.
The recent inflation spike has been driven by sharp rises in energy costs and household bills.
Analysts were wrong to expect a drop. Volumes rose by 1.4%, while March’s previous decline was slightly revised up to 1.2 percent.
This was partly due to an increase in food purchases, which rose 2.8% in April.
These proposals could be completed in a matter of weeks and will come into effect next year. They would allow for small price reductions on cider and beer purchased on tap and eliminate the super-tax on sparkling wine, prosecco, and champagne.
But the wine industry has warned the changes will heap costs on those who enjoy bottles with an alcohol – or ABV – level above 11.5 per cent. Because they have tight 0.5% bands to determine a drink’s ABV (which is difficult in wine), the plans were criticized as being too complicated.
Now, the government faces last-ditch demands to ease its rules. Australian producers argue they are being discriminated because their wine is stronger due to environmental factors like soil and grape varieties.
New figures showed that retail sales surprised by an increase in April, as Brits stockpiled clothes for post Covid holidays.
According to official figures, volumes rose 1.4% in March to counter analysts’ expectations. The previous month’s drop of 1.2% was only slightly reduced by the government to 1.2 %.
According to shops, some customers were buying outfits for overseas jaunts and weddings.
But, the long-term outlook was grimmer as inflation increases and the economy slows. A large portion of the bounce could be attributed to sales at supermarkets and off-licences, which suggests people bought food and drink to save money and avoid going to restaurants and bars.
Heather Bovill (ONS deputy director for economic surveys and indicators) stated: “Retail sales rose in April, after the fall last month. But, the figures continue to show a long-term downtrend.
“April saw an increase in grocery sales led by tobacco, alcohol, and sweets. Off-licences reported a rise as well, perhaps due to more people going in to shop to save money.
The wine industry has warned that prices for some of its most sought-after products will rise.
According to some online retailers, clothing sales saw strong growth in the month of July, suggesting that people were buying summer clothes and dresses for weddings.
Partly, the April increase was due to an increase of people buying food from stores. This rose by 2.8%.
Supermarkets had greater sales in tobacco and alcohol, but the actual food sales remained stable.
The ONS reported that sales for non-food shops fell 0.6% in April. Officials have also revised initial estimates that there was a drop of 1.4% in non-food shops sales from March to 1.2 percent.
Helen Dickinson is the Chief Executive Officer of British Retail Consortium. She stated that retail sales have been squeezed due to a combination low demand, high inflation, and rising prices.
“The decline in demand is caused by consumers reining in discretionary spending after a substantial reduction in real incomes in the UK.
“Retailers face increased food and commodity costs, higher shipping and transportation costs and the tightest labor market in years.
“Retailers do everything they can to help their customers, keeping their costs low and increasing their ranges. However, it’s impossible to control all costs that come through their supply chain.
“Until inflation is controlled and consumers feel more confident, it’s possible that retailers will face difficult times in the future, with reduced demand and lower margins.
Retail Price Index numbers, slightly different than the CPI, show that potatoes was one of very few staple foods to have seen their price drop over the last year. This is a decrease of 1.2 percentage. Overall food prices increased 6.8%, but meats and oils were particularly hard hit.