Pensioners hit hardest by inflation because of what they have to spend on food and heating

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Pensioners face an inflation rate nearly a third higher than Britain's official figure, according to a study.

The official rate rose to 2.2 per cent last month, its highest since last summer, the Office for National Statistics said yesterday.

But the rate for pensioners is 32 per cent higher at 2.9 per cent, researchers for investment firm Alliance Trust found.

The firm warned that pensioners are hit hardest by the soaring cost of everyday items such as milk, bread and petrol.

Cheese, eggs and rice have also shot up over the past year.

Alliance calculated pensioner inflation by using a "shopping basket" of items reflecting their typical weekly spend.

Their inflation rate is higher because they spend more on food and heating bills, which are both rising rapidly.

The basic state pension was raised just £3.05 last year to £87.30 a week for a single person.

Paul Cann of the charity Help the Aged said it had "utterly failed to keep pace" with soaring bills.

The official inflation rate of 2.2 per cent is above the Government's target for the Consumer Prices Index of 2 per cent and is predicted to keep rising.

Economists said yesterday's figure was "the calm before the storm".