From Freddos to fish and chips: The impact of inflation on the UK’s most beloved treats

A Freddo, a Costa coffee, a chippy - Britain’s favourite treats have long been the affordable little luxuries people turn to for comfort. 

But while wage growth has struggled to keep pace, the cost of many everyday indulgences has surged over the past five years. 

Why your credit report matters

The rising cost of everyday things could lead some people to rely on credit for other expenses where they otherwise may not have done. This could be anything like:

• A personal loan to cover a deposit.

• A credit card to bridge a gap between paydays.

• Buying something on finance instead of outright.

Lenders review your credit report whenever you apply, and a healthy file can mean the difference between competitive rates and costly borrowing – or a successful application and a declined one.

At Checkmyfile, you get the most detailed credit report out there, showing your information from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion all in one place. You can see everything a lender could see, identify any issues, and take practical steps to improve your credit health before your next application. Start with a 7-day free trial, then it’s £14.99 per month – cancel online anytime.

Methodology

The Treatflation Calculator is designed to calculate the potential impact of inflation on Britain’s favourite treats, helping users understand how the cost of popular UK snacks, drinks, chocolates and takeaway foods could change over time.

Prices for 25 popular British treats were sourced from retailer websites, archived menus, company announcements and media reports, comparing prices in 2021 with prices in 2026. Wage data was sourced from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), using median hourly earnings excluding overtime.

Future costs are estimated by applying each product’s average annual rate of price growth between 2021 and 2026 to future years. The calculator is intended to illustrate the potential long-term impact of Treatflation using historical price trends. Actual future prices may vary depending on inflation, supply chain costs, consumer demand, taxation and retailer pricing decisions.