Britons have expressed concerns for their affordability in the latest economic blow to the UK, as inflation rates rise for the first time this year.

After being voted into power last month, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing new inflation troubles after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced an increase to 2.2 per cent.

Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the figures show "how important it is that the new Labour government follows the path of the previous Conservative government" and, focus on "keeping inflation low".

Reacting to the figures, locals in Birmingham told GB News of their concerns and how they are "already struggling" amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Sharing their thoughts, one man told GB News that although the increase may appear small, the impact will be "massive" for Britons.

He said: "Not a lot of people can already afford food. I've got a decent job myself and I struggle as it is. So I only worry about the people on universal credit or part time jobs who have to actually look after kids.

"It's a bit ridiculous to be honest, the country is going a bit down the pan."

The Birmingham resident then urged the Government to "work with farmers" in helping to bring food prices down. He said: "They need to work with the farmers to bring back food to lower the prices and get people involved.

"I'm currently homeless, so it's impacted me massively. I've got kids as well, the food shop is about £100 a week, and sometimes I'm not even getting all the essentials there. So it's crazy to be honest."

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Speaking to another homeless man, he admitted he is "struggling to live day to day" in the current economic state.

He told GB News: "I'm a homeless man, so inflation's really affecting me. To afford anything whilst you're on universal credit is very difficult.

"The people at the bottom have been suppressed more, squashed more and singled out more. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, and that's my opinion on it."

In contrast, one lady claimed the rising costs of living and inflation "don't really affect" her day-to-day life and financial wellbeing.

She explained: "I didn't even know that it had gone up. It doesn't actually affect me at all, and I'm not aware that it has.

"It hasn't really affected my shopping bills, as my shopping bill is always very carefully structured anyway. So I'm always looking around for bargains."

Grant Fitzner, chief economist at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said of the latest figures: "Inflation ticked up a little in July as although domestic energy costs fell, they fell by less than a year ago.

"This was partially offset by hotel costs, which fell in July after strong growth in June."