[norman]

This might seem to be off topic but I'm sure it's part of the way these things are handled nowadays.

Erratic highs and lows can severely alter the relationship between prices and incomes. Wages, pensions and welfare benefits in UK are 'inflated' annually to keep up with the 'cost of living'. The exact amount is calculated by taking a 'snapshot' of general inflation.

I think I'm right in saying that this snapshot is taken in the early months of the year. Inflation has been running wild throughout this year but is expected to fall back down again by early next year, when they take the snapshot.

The increases in payments next year will reflect that lower rate of inflation. It won't take into consideration the excessive inflation we've gone through since the last increase. Slowly we are being lowered into poverty by being left further and further behind real inflation, which is already significantly higher than they say it is anyway, especially regarding the purchasing trends of poorer people.