Easter holidays leaving Brits worse off due to soaring costs of food and days out

31 March 2024 , 07:24

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Easter holidays leaving Brits worse off due to soaring costs of food and days out

The Office for National Statistics has revealed huge price hikes on traditional Easter staples compared to the same time last year - affecting everything from chocolate to kids’ activities and meals out has seen the British public worse off

The soaring cost of food and family fun will leave us a lot worse off this Easter, analysis has found.

Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer both paid tribute to Christians ahead of the holiday – which the Labour leader described as a “time of optimism and new beginnings”. But the Office for National Statistics has revealed huge price hikes on traditional Easter staples compared to the same time last year. Choc figures show a large bar is a whopping 11% more expensive and a bag of chocolate sweets is up by 10%. 

Those heading out for a traditional Easter roast dinner will fork out 7% more in pubs and 8% more in restaurants, compared to 12 months ago. Kids’ activities will cost an arm and a leg too. Parents will have to pay an extra 2% for bowling, 5% for soft play and 7% for climbing wall sessions. 

Labour blamed the hikes on more than a decade of chaos under the Tories. James Murray, Shadow Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “Prices continue to rise for families while Rishi Sunak pretends everything is fine. The Conservatives claim their plan is working, but after more than 14 years of economic failure, this is no April Fools’ Day joke.”

As well as inflation continuing to push up prices, the latest Tory tax changes mean families will be £140 worse off from April than they were just four years ago. Mr Murray said: “The Tory economic plan is as hollow as an Easter egg. People are simply paying more and getting less.” In his last Easter message before the next General Election, Mr Starmer said: “As families and friends gather to celebrate the holiday, we turn our thoughts towards new beginnings, our future and how things can change for the better.”

He added: “I’d like to express my gratitude to the Christian community for their generosity and compassion. “At this time of optimism and new beginnings, I thank them for everything they do and wish all those celebrating a very Happy Easter.” Prime Minister Mr Sunak said UK Christians “demonstrate what it means to love thy neighbour”.

Elizabeth Baker