U.K. inflation soars to highest level in more than 40 years

Friday, May 20, 2022 - 01:00 Print Edition  World

 UK inflation soared to 9% in April – its highest level for more than 40 years – as the rising cost of gas and electricity pushed household energy bills to record levels.

英国4月份通胀率飙升至9%，为40多年来的最高水平，因为不断上涨的天然气和电力成本推动家庭能源账单达到创纪录水平。

The escalating cost of food and transport also contributed to the rising cost of living, deepening the crisis affecting millions of low- and middle-income families.

食品和交通成本的不断上涨也导致生活成本上升，加剧了危机对数百万中低收入家庭的影响。

Deepen  v. （使）变深，加深；（使）变糟，恶化，严重；（使）（感情或关系）变深（或更强烈）；加深，完善（了解、理解等）；（使）（光线或颜色）变暗，（使）变深；（使）（声音）变得低沉；深（呼吸），喘（大气）；（使）（神秘的事物）变得更神秘

Business groups said all sectors of industry and commerce were suffering from the steep rise in energy and fuel costs, with many facing a similar shock to their finances as seen during the pandemic but without the same level of government support.

商业团体表示，所有工商界都受到能源和燃料成本大幅上涨的影响，许多企业面临与疫情期间类似的财务冲击，但没有同等水平的政府支持。

steep rise：急剧上涨

The Office for National Statistics said the 54% increase in the energy price cap in April, which took the average annual gas and electricity bill close to £2,000, was the main reason for the jump in the consumer prices index from 7% in March.

英国国家统计局(Office for National Statistics)表示，4月份能源价格上限上调54%，使平均每年的天然气和电力账单接近2000英镑，这是消费者价格指数从3月份的7%跃升的主要原因。

Cap：n. 帽子；（对物件起保护作用的）罩，盖，套；最高限额；国家队队员 v. 覆盖；限额收取（或支出）；选入国家队；给（牙齿）上牙套；胜过，超过；脱帽致意

average petrol prices rose to a record 161.8p a litre in April 2022 from 125.5p a year earlier. Diesel was another factor behind the increase in the consumer prices index from 7% in February after the average cost at the pumps hit a record high of 176.1p a litre, leading to an average increase over the last 12 months in motor fuels of 31.4%. Food banks have reported an increase in demand for food packages after the rise in energy bills, while many small business owners have said a combination of higher costs and tax increases have pushed them to the edge of bankruptcy.

2022年4月，汽油均价从一年前的每升125.5便士升至创纪录的161.8便士。柴油是导致消费者价格指数从2月份的7%上升的另一个因素，此前加油站汽油均价触及每升176.1便士的历史高点，导致过去12个月汽车燃料平均上涨31.4%。食品银行报告称，在能源账单上涨后，对食品包装的需求增加，而许多小企业主表示，成本上升和税收增加将他们推到了破产的边缘。

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