Marmite to Magnum maker Unilever says costs have soared – and it’s already putting up prices

Marmite to Magnum maker Unilever says costs have soared – and it’s already putting up prices

Every day, it seems, there is fresh evidence of a take-off in inflation - whether it is soaring petrol prices, higher building materials prices or rising paper and packaging costs.

Today, though, brought one of the starkest warnings yet.

Unilever, one of the world's biggest producers of food, drink, beauty products and consumer goods, made no fewer than eight separate references to inflation in its half year results statement today as it spelled out the consequences of higher input costs.