Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt stressed on Wednesday that the government must make difficult decisions to address rising costs or the hardship brought on by inflation will only grow worse.

“I know it is tough for many right now, but it is vital that we take the tough decisions needed to tackle inflation – the number one enemy that makes everyone poorer. If we make the wrong choices now, high prices will persist and prolong the pain for millions,” Hunt said in a statement responding to the latest inflation data.