Increased university fees biggest contributor to inflation increase, says ONS

UCU said the news was further evidence that the government's decision to hike up university fees was an ideological move, rather than a financial one, and will cost the country far more at a time when the government is preaching austerity.

UCU General Secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'This is more evidence that the government rushed through higher fees, rather than properly considering the financial consequences of the move.

'It is clear that forcing the burden of paying for university education onto students was an ideological move, not a financial one. The taxpayer is already footing a massive bill to cover student loans and may well end up covering an increased benefits bill as well. It is time for a serious rethink from the government.'

The 12-monthly increase in the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation rose from 2.2 per cent to 2.7 per cent in October. The increase in CPI could see the benefits bill increase at a time when the government says it is committed to bringing it down.