THE surprise increase in the rate of inflation last month has confirmed that the cost-of-living crisis is far from over for British households - with many feeling forced to take strike action as a result of growing costs. 

The data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) defied forecasts for a drop in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) last month, instead revealing a rise back up to 10.4 per cent from 10.1 per cent in January.

Across Cumbria, teachers, nurses, doctors, and rail staff have all committed to industrial action over the past few months as a way of demonstrating that salaries across the board are facing a real pay cut, despite pay rises being offered.  

A calculator provided by the Office of National Statistics allows you to see what your pay growth should be increasing to if it is to keep in line with current growing inflation rates. 

For example, if you earn £20,000 per year, to keep up with current inflation rates your pay next year would need to increase by £1,840 - meaning earnings are ultimately worth £700 less. 

ONS figures show the average employee in Carlisle earned an average annual salary of £27,492 in 2022. 

To match rising costs, a pay increase of £2,529 would be needed. Which results in £962 of earnings being lost on the average salary. 

In Cumbria schools, on average, male teachers earn £41,604.

In order to keep up with current inflation levels next year, this is a figure that would have to rise to by £3,778. 

For female teachers, who get an average of £38,690, this figure would need to rise to £3,559 per year - meaning that earnings are worth £1,354 per year. 

According to Payscale, the average salary for a nurse in Carlisle is £27,500. 

To keep up with the current inflation rate, nurses pay next year would need to increase by £2,760 per year.