Inflation rose to 3.1% in November, the highest rate in over five years, putting a further squeeze on living standards for families across the UK.
The number of crimes committed in the UK and Wales over the last year rose 13 percent to more than five million.
Nearly six million jobs, and almost a quarter of jobs outside London, pay less than the living wage, according to a report by the Office for National Statistics.
The UK economy grew by 2.6% last year, a rise of 0.9% from 2013, according to official figures.
Crime has fallen to record low levels in England and Wales, according to new official figures.