INFLATION rate in the UK has risen to its highest level, more than doubling in April, as per the data showed by Office for National Statistics showed on Wednesday (19).
The Consumer Prices Index rate hit 1.5 percent in April, attaining the highest point since March 2020 when the Covid crisis erupted in the country. The upswing, as compared to .7 percent in March, has stoked fears of a global inflationary spike as economies reopen.
The high levels of inflation rate appear to have caused by rising cloth and energy costs, coming at a time when the UK economy is set for phased reopening.
"Inflation rose in April, mainly due to prices rising this year compared with the falls seen at the start of the pandemic this time last year," said chief ONS economist Grant Fitzner. "This was seen most clearly in household utility bills and clothing prices."
Prices of eating out in restaurants, staying in hotels, and clothing increased sharply in April after non-essential shops reopened and hospitality venues were allowed to serve customers outside. Energy prices also rose after the government recently increased its electricity and gas tariff cap along with rising crude oil prices that fed higher costs for motor fuels, which are now at their highest level since January 2020.
The Bank of England had already warned that energy price hikes would push UK inflation beyond its 2.0-percent target this year. It is watching movements in the prices of goods and services "extremely carefully" for signs if the country’s inflation rate is set to spike beyond the expected rate, BoE governor Andrew Bailey said on Tuesday (18).
Britain is meanwhile exiting lockdowns at a gradual pace, with the economy showing signs of recovery at the end of the first quarter, as per recently-released data.
Gross domestic product jumped by 2.1 percent in March while unemployment dipped to 4.8 percent in the first quarter, aided by the state's jobs furlough scheme that has kept millions in work during the pandemic.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)