More than three in four adults in the UK have seen their cost of living increase in the past month, according to new data.
The Office for National Statistics said 76 per cent of those questioned reported a rise in the cost of living in the 20 days between 3 and 13 February.
Higher food prices, energy bills and fuel prices were all highlighted as major factors, with petrol prices hitting record highs this week.
The survey also found that more workers are returning to the office, with just 17 per cent of people working exclusively from home during the period, compared with 22 per cent in the final weeks of January.
About 68 per cent of working adults said they had travelled to work during the period, although the data did not detail whether this was every day, up from 62 per cent previously.
The number of staff self-isolating because of Covid-19 also fell, with the highest numbers working in education and social care.
The relaxation of face-covering rules also had an impact on behaviour, although the vast majority – 88% – of those questioned said they still wore one when out in the past seven days.
The easing of lockdown restrictions also benefited businesses, with the majority of firms reporting a rise in sales in January, compared with December.
There was also a rise in the number of shoppers heading to stores, with Springboard saying footfall increased 2 per cent in the week to 12 February compared with the previous week – the fifth consecutive week of rises, although they were still down on pre-pandemic levels.
