“The system by which we measure the impact of inflation is fundamentally flawed”
BY NIC CROSARA
Throughout their career, food writer and previous DIVA cover star, Jack Monroe has written advice on how to feed a family on a budget. They’ve also campaigned alongside organisations such as Child Poverty Action group and Oxfam.
In December, the cost of living rose at its fastest rate in the last 30 years. Upon hearing the topic discussed on the radio, the writer took to Twitter to write a very insightful and informative thread on the matter.
Woke up this morning to the radio talking about the cost of living rising a further 5%. It infuriates me the index that they use for this calculation, which grossly underestimates the real cost of inflation as it happens to people with the least. Allow me to briefly explain.
— jack monroe (@BootstrapCook) January 19, 2022
Jack Monroe listed various items of groceries and compared the prices of what they are now to a year ago. The increase in price ranged from 29% to 344%. The writer then reflected that when they started their blog ten years ago they could feed their family of two on just £10 a week.
These are just the ones that I know off the top of my head – there will be many many more examples! When I started writing my recipe blog ten years ago, I could feed myself and my son on £10 a week. (I’ll find the original shopping list later and price it up for today’s prices.)
— jack monroe (@BootstrapCook) January 19, 2022
Jack continues to write about the cost that this will have for working class people.
The system by which we measure the impact of inflation is fundamentally flawed – it completely ignores the reality and the REAL price rises for people on minimum wages, zero hour contracts, food bank clients, and millions more.
— jack monroe (@BootstrapCook) January 19, 2022
Towards the end of the thread, Jack points out how this unjust rise in price is made to only impact those who are already struggling.
To return to the luxury ready meal example, if the price of that had risen at the same rate as the cheapest rice in the supermarket, that £7.50 lasagne would now cost £25.80.
— jack monroe (@BootstrapCook) January 19, 2022
Dine In For £10 would be £34.40.
We’re either all in this together, or we aren’t.
(Spoiler: we aren’t)
They conclude by calling out about the Prime Minister’s claim that he has reduced the cost of living.
We have been living in austerity for over 10 years now. With a global pandemic adding further struggle to our daily lives. Like Jack, I am appalled to see this injustice and the needs of the few being prioritised over the needs of the many.
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