The answer to this mess is to renegotiate the contracts so that spent nuclear fuel already at Sellafield is stored for a fixed time agreed between the parties.

ECONOMIST: Letters

He said many people on low fixed incomes and facing high food and fuel costs would be very worried about getting a below-inflation increase and "in some cases therefore are going to see quite a significant reduction in their weekly income".

BBC: 95,000 pensioners 'were overpaid'

The two Japanese carriers argue weakly that many of their fixed costs, such as high landing and fuel charges in Japan, are not of their making.

ECONOMIST: Japanese airlines

They are still paying more for their fuel under 'hedging' deals, in which they set a fixed price months into the future.

BBC: Is the worst over for the airlines?

And with fixed-rate mortgages coming to an end, higher fuel costs, food bills and council tax, it says many people with decent salaries are struggling.

BBC: Problem debt 'hitting affluent'