Energy price rises have also been higher here than in most other nations, according to figures from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The OECD found that Britain’s inflation rate in January of 3.5% was two or three times higher than that of other Western European nations.

The Daily Mail’s Cost of Living Index found in January that the cost of a basket of the most commonly bought foods had increased by 7.5% in 12 months.

UK Energy prices rose by 7.8% over the year, said the OECD. This compares with just 1% in Germany.

LibDem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable said: ‘With large profits posted by supermarkets and energy companies it would appear that some of them are taking advantage of their strong market position over their suppliers and customers.’

He added: ‘With a weak pound and an increase in VAT it is inevitable that there would be a rise in inflation. However, the level of inflation in food and energy prices is considerably in excess of many other European countries even allowing for these factors.’

The Government’s decision to put VAT back up from 15% to 17.5% in January has hit consumers in the pocket. But as VAT does not apply to most food products this does not explain the soaring cost of grocery bills. And energy bills have stayed high despite the fact that wholesale prices have plunged compared with their peak in the summer of 2008.

Scott Byrom of the price comparison site moneysupermarket.com said: ‘Customers are still paying average gas bills of nearly £800 even though the price of wholesale gas fell by 60% from mid 2008 to the end of 2009.’