Inflation is not decreasing, theft and shoplifting are increasing

Inflation is not falling across the Channel, the cost of living remains very high despite Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s promises, while theft and shoplifting in shops is growing at record levels. An economic and social plague far from being resolved. Also because, after a decline of three consecutive months, inflation remained stable at 6.7%, despite the optimistic expectations of experts. At least, for the first time in two years, the prices of milk, cheese and eggs have fallen. On the other hand, petrol prices grew by 5.1 pence per litre.

In short, we are still far from the target of 5.3% by the end of the year, set by Sunak. While the Bank of England’s interest rates remain at 5.25% and the latest data could delay their reduction with other consequences on mortgages. However, the Bank of England’s own economists expect a significant drop in inflation in October and so does the chief economist of the Office for National Statistics (the British Istat), Grant Fitzner.

In any case, British citizens have less and less money in their pockets. Confirmation comes from retail sales data, down 0.9% in September 2023 (against +0.4% in August), while non-food goods fell by 1.9% in the same period . At the same time, shop thefts are on the rise. Between July 2022 and June 2023 there were in fact 365,164 complaints, i.e. approximately one thousand per day, for an increase of 24.4% compared to the previous 12-month period. Now only 18% of thefts are discovered (from 46% in 2016) and only 14% of thieves are reported (it was 29.7%). Plus, Britain is in the midst of an emergency of overflowing prisons. Since last week, while waiting for space to be made, even rapists have been spared detention. Let alone someone who steals meat, some eggs or a shirt.