I think the cost of living is increasing at a far greater rate than the "average" 3%. My council tax increased 4.5% this year, and food costs went up well above 3% this year. Even train and bus costs went up 5% (thus my incentive to cycle to work), not to mention gas and electricity! It seems to me the cost of living is increasing at a far greater rate than wages and other earnings. At the current rate of inflation, the poor will get poorer and the rich stay rich. I've actually laughed myself out of some stores, going in to buy something only to discovered it's ridiculously overpriced!

most definitely, perhaps because im younger I notice it more. In the 5 years iv moved out of home my council tax has increased by around 400, rent by 100 pounds for the same type of property. In the 2 years i've been driving diesel has gone up from 87p/l to 119p/l. The brand of bread I use has increased by over 20p in the last year, butter by 30p. I could go on but it is too depressing. shame my wages havn't increased by a similar proportion!

Saw a human statue in town, sprayed in gold and not moving a muscle, not a blink or a flicker, didnt appear to be breathing..how do they do it and how do they keep it up for so long? wanted to ask him did it take long to get sprayed and how long to remove? Put some money in his collection box and very much admired him, but to tell you the truth he gave me the creeps a bit even though it is so clever!

it is amazing how those guys stay still for so long. the ones that are in covent garden on a regular basis are awesome. But you wouldn't want to be the person painting on the goo in their nether reasons!

I love pasties, but only real ones - the kind you get from the Cornish Pasty Company. I'm not too keen on Ginsters. What does everyone else think? What are your favourite flavours?

the filling makes or breaks a pastie as does the pastry- soggy pastry is a no go and overly synthetic fillings. best pastie is a steak bake