Case study: 'Shopping list favourites have shot up'

Linsay Black believes her family's cost of living has risen by at least the £1,500 figure claimed by MGM Advantage over the past year.

Mrs Black, who runs marketing company Blackharrow from her home in Newington, Edinburgh, where she lives with her husband Martin and daughter Chloe, nine, has noticed the prices of some of her favourite supermarket goods rocket in the past year - while Martin's travel costs to his job in Glasgow have also climbed.

"I usually buy a certain type of tortilla chip, which I noticed recently has doubled in price over the last year," said Mrs Black, 51.

"Also, a year or so ago I could fill up the tank in my car for 25 or 30 - now it's more like 45. Some things have really shot up.

"We still have a good standard of living, but I have definitely started to plan my weekly shop to make sure we don't waste food - and I have become less snobby about brands."