Questão 13 - PUC-SP Verão A 2022

Leia o texto com atenção e escolha a alternativa correta.

 

Budget 2021: Price rises could hit highest rate in 30 years, says forecaster

In https://www.bbc.com/news/business-59062392, Acesso em: 20 out. 2021.

 

The cost of living could rise at its fastest rate for 30 years, the government's forecaster has warned.

 

1- Its latest forecast says inflation, which measures the change in the cost of living over time, is set to jump from 3.1% to an average of 4% in 2022.

However, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) says figures released since its report was compiled suggest inflation could hit almost 5%.

 

2- The chancellor acknowledged that household budgets are strained.

Rishi Sunak described the overall economic picture as "strong" in the short term, with the OBR now expecting the economy to return to its pre-pandemic level six months earlier than it had forecast previously.

However, he acknowledged the inflation rate was "likely to rise further" from its 3.1% rate in September.

He said it was due to increased demand for energy and supply chain issues as economies and factories reopening following coronavirus lockdowns.

"The pressures caused by supply chains and energy prices will take months to ease," Mr Sunak said.

"It would be irresponsible for anyone to pretend that we can solve this overnight."

 

3- The UK's exit from the European Union (EU) has exacerbated supply chain problems such as hold ups at ports or with deliveries, the OBR said in its latest report.

 

4- The OBR also said the fact that the energy price cap has risen was a big factor behind the rising cost of living. The cap sets the maximum price suppliers in England, Wales and Scotland can charge domestic customers on a standard - or default - tariff.

 

5- The independent forecaster suggested that had its figures been more up-to-date, its inflation forecasts would have painted a bleaker picture for consumers and businesses.

It previously said it had ended any updates to its forecast on 24 September, earlier than usual, and "in response to a request from the chancellor".

 

6- Richard Hughes, chairman of the OBR, told BBC News that if inflation started feeding into wages, rather than just products in the shops, the problem could persist for longer.

 

7- Covid recovery

But the OBR lifted its prediction for economic growth in 2021 to 6.5%, up from its previous forecast of 4%. It has also reduced its estimate of the long-term "scarring" effect of Covid-19 on the economy from 3% to 2%.

The effectiveness of Covid vaccines and the adaptability of consumers and businesses had sped up the recovery, the OBR said.

 

8- But it forecast that economic growth would be lower next year than it previously thought, partly down to a better performance in 2021.

 

9- In 2022, gross domestic product (GDP), which measures all the activity of companies, governments and people in an economy, will increase by 6%, the OBR said, rather than the 7.3% it predicted in March.

 

10- Growth is forecast to be 2.1% in 2023, 1.3% in 2024 and 1.6% in 2025.

No parágrafo 2, na sentença He said it was due to increased demand for energy and supply chain issues as economies and factories reopening following coronavirus lockdowns, o pronome it refere-se a: