Food prices leaped by twice the rate of inflation last month as hard-hit family budgets took an even bigger hammering.

The average household's grocery bill is now six per cent higher than a year ago.

And things are getting worse, with food prices rising 1.6 per cent between April and May alone.

The spike helped drive up overall shop prices to a new high last month. Those for all types of goods rose by 1.8 per cent in the year to May, a jump from 1.2 per cent in April.

The rises are likely to blow any chance of the Bank of England cutting interest rates today. ... Read full article