The cost-of-living crisis

In 2020 COVID-19 caused the most severe contraction in the UK economy for over 300 years.  Although the economy bounced back strongly, aided by government support for workers and businesses, after a brief period of relative respite, the war in Ukraine has combined with the global aftershocks of the pandemic to push up prices.  Inflation is now at levels not seen for forty years and is well above average wage increases, leaving many households across the country facing a cost-of-living crisis.  

Furthermore, existing inequalities widened during the pandemic, with the low-paid and already vulnerable groups disproportionately affected across a range of socio-economic and health measures.   The cost-of-living crisis is likely to widen and deepen these inequalities.

To monitor the impact of the cost-of-living crisis in Herefordshire we have brought together a range of socio-economic data and intelligence in a Cost-of-Living Bulletin which can be downloaded from the resource box opposite.