By GB News (World News) | Created at 2024-12-18 12:01:29 | Updated at 2024-12-18 15:26:17
3 hours ago
GB News presenter Bev Turner has said that Britain resembles a communist state due to empty shop shelves ahead of Christmas.
Speaking on GB News, Bev explained: "I do some of my shopping in person. I have to say the convenience of online shopping is a plus, especially when you've got teenagers that want stuff, the convenience of being able to just do it online.
"There's never anything in the shops. We live in Communist Britain. The shop's shelves are normally empty."
However co-host Andrew Pierce disagreed, stating that he never shops online.
Bev fumed that "it is like Communist Britain"
GB News
Andrew said: "I went to Swindon a couple of weeks ago with all my family and I did what I always do hand them over cash, then my nieces can get what they want.
"They don't want Uncle Andrew to buy them something that they don't want."
The remarks come as new data shows British consumers are facing rising costs, with inflation climbing to 2.6 per cent in November, its highest level since March.
The latest inflation figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the Consumer Prices Index rose to 2.6 per cent, up from 2.3 per cent in October.
This marks the second consecutive monthly increase in inflation, pushing it further above the Bank of England's 2 per cent target.
The rise comes as households prepare for Christmas shopping, with costs for both food and non-alcoholic drinks seeing increases.
She added that shop shelves are "empty"
PA
A wider measure of inflation showed housing and household services costs, including rent, rose by 3.5 per cent.
Core inflation, which excludes volatile elements like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, increased to 3.5 per cent from 3.3 per cent in October.
The Bank of England is expected to keep interest rates steady at 4.75 per cent when it meets on Thursday.
Grant Fitzner, chief economist at the ONS, explained the key factors behind the inflation rise: "Inflation rose again this month as prices of motor fuel and clothing increased this year but fell a year ago."
Andrew Pierce revealed that he still shops in person
GB News
He noted there was some relief from air fares, which saw their largest November drop since records began.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledged ongoing struggles, saying: "I know families are still struggling with the cost of living and today's figures are a reminder that for too long the economy has not worked for working people."
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride criticised the government's approach, warning: "These figures mean higher costs in the shops, less money in working people's pockets and risks keeping mortgage rates higher for longer."
