The cost of Easter has soared by nearly a quarter compared with last year, as inflation hits popular items including chocolate eggs, olive oil and hot cross buns, claims a recent analysis, accusing ministers of failing to curb the cost of living crisis.
According to a research compiled by the Labour party, bills for grocery staples will be on average 23 per cent higher. Easter treats as well as Sunday lunch favourites are among those items where prices have rocketed.
Roast lamb, a popular item around the dinner table at Easter, is expected to be impacted as lamb and goat prices have climbed by 9.4 per cent over the past year, according to stats compiled by the Office for National Statistics.
Potato prices have jumped by 19.8 per cent, with other trimmings, such as fresh or chilled vegetables – including carrots – going up by 18.5 per cent. The cost of olive oil shot up the fastest – by 40.7 per cent – and frozen vegetables including peas are up 29 per cent. Condiments like mint sauce have risen by 30.9 per cent, compared with Easter 2022, The Guardian stated citing the analysis.
Some bakery products, which would include hot cross buns, have also increased by 18.3 per cent, while chocolate has risen 11.6 per cent over the past 12 months. In addition, the cost of normal eggs has grown by 32.5 per cent. Overall, the costs represent an average rise of 23.4 per cent to Easter staples.
Pat McFadden, the shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, said that Easter is very special time. Families want to commemorate the meaning of Easter and enjoy their time together.
“But this year it has become a lot more expensive to celebrate Easter in the traditional way. The cost of an Easter Sunday roast dinner has soared compared with last year," reports quoted McFadden as saying.
“One step the government could take is to freeze council tax for the coming year and fund it by closing the loopholes in the current windfall tax on oil and gas companies. That would ease the pressure and give people some help to cope with rises in the cost of living.”
Brian McLister