This is Money Podcast Inflation and the Budget - are things about to get better or worse?
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Oct 23, 2026 Rachel Rickard Straus, a personal finance journalist covering tax, pensions and household money, joins a lively discussion on inflation’s return and the looming Budget. Fuel costs, interest rates, squeezed spending power and government debt take centre stage. They also explore possible backdoor rent controls, future tax changes, Premium Bonds luck and listeners’ biggest Budget frustrations.
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Why Persistent Inflation Shrinks Your Lifestyle
- Inflation erodes purchasing power even after headline rates fall, because prices remain above target for prolonged periods.
- £100 now buys roughly what £92 bought two years ago, while taxes make matching inflation with income harder.
One Family’s Monthly Costs Surge
- Simon Lambert’s household costs show inflation’s cumulative impact across everyday bills.
- His diesel fill-up rose from £75 to £127, while energy, mortgage and food costs added hundreds more each month.
Inflation Traps Governments In A Costly Loop
- Government support becomes harder when inflation-linked debt rises alongside household pressure.
- Extra spending may help families immediately but can increase debt costs, reducing future capacity to provide support.