Prices plague U.K. shoppers

Press, 18 March 1977, Page 6

Prices plague U.K. shoppers

NZPA - Reuter London Plagued by rising prices, life has become sheer agony for British housewives, according to the National Consumers’ Protection Council. Even vegetable prices are at record levels, some people say things are worse than in the post-war ration days — and the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Denis Healey) is reported to be horrified by food costs. “Women throughout the country literally dread doing their weekly ’or monthly shopping. They face agonies of despair and disappointment because while prices have been shooting up. their housekeeping has remained static,” Mrs Regina Dollar, director of the council, said.

i “Very few women can afford to buy a weekly joint of meat. A very small bottle [of tomato sauce has to eked lout for seven days, and you [cannot fall back on the old i favourite, fish fingers, any more because they have increased in price so much.” In the last three years the retail price index has risen 69.5 per cent, and price increases in the last year have left the average Briton £lO a i week worse off. [ Since 1974 electricity costs have doubled, coal has increased from £2l to £3B a tonne, and gas prices are [scheduled for a 10 per cent rise at the end of the month. i The Consumers’ Association has admitted that it cannot claim to offer more (than practical advice on risling prices.