The everyday value food items that are actually falling in price

In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, it's just as important to know which food items are decreasing in price as well as those that are getting significantly more expensive.

According to research by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the cost of a number of staple foods has fallen in the past year.

Potatoes, cheese, sausages, apples, pizza and chips have all dropped in price in the 12 months to April 2022.

The ONS tracked the cost of 30 everyday grocery items at a time when inflation - the increase in the price of something over a period of time - is soaring by 9% a year in the UK, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) in April - the highest rate for 40 years.

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The ONS trained algorithms to select the cheapest possible alternatives on the websites of Asda, the Co-op, Iceland, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose, and tracked its price over the year.

Despite Aldi and Lidl being among the cheapest supermarkets in the country, they were not included as they do not allow customers to shop online.

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While there was good news that some items had decreased in cost, five foods went up by more than 15% in the past year.

The lowest price of pasta increased by a huge 50%, while crisps increased by 17%; bread by 16%; beef mince by 16% and rice by 15%.

Overall, the cost of the lowest-priced items have increased by as much as average food and non-alcoholic drinks prices - both rising by between 6% and 7% in the 12 months to April.

Read more: Martin Lewis warns of 'bloody awful' increase in energy bills

Of those items that dropped in price, potatoes fell by 14%; cheese by 7%; pizza by 4%; chips by 3%; sausages by 3% and apples by 1%.

Last month, Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of energy regulator Ofgem, warned that the energy price cap is expected to rise to about £2,800 in October, adding about £800 to the average annual bill.

Ofgem had already increased the cap by £693 to £1,971 in April.

Days later, chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a £15bn package of measures in response to the cost of living crisis.

This includes a universal discount of £400 off energy bills for every household, with Sunak pledging to donate his to a "local cause" and urging Britain's most wealthy to do the same.

Changes to basic food prices between April 2021 and April 2022:

Pasta: +50%

Crisps: +17%

Bread: +16%

Beef Mince: +16%

Rice: +15%

Biscuits: +14%

Fruit Juice (Orange): +14%

Mixed Frozen Vegetables: +14%

Fruit Squash: +12%

Breakfast Cereal: +10%

Chicken Breast: +9%

Vegetable Oil: +9%

Baked Beans: +7%

Tomato Ketchup: +6%

Fish Fingers: +3%

Onions: +3%

Ham: +2%

Tomatoes: +2%

Tea: +2%

Yoghurt: +1%

Instant Coffee: +1%

Bananas: +1%

Granulated Sugar: +1%

Milk: no change

Apples: -1%

Sausages: -3%

Chips: -3%

Pizza: -4%

Cheese: -7%

Potatoes: -14%

Watch: Rishi Sunak defends universal energy bills grant