Older people are still facing a much higher inflation rate than headline figures, new research indicates.

According to a study by the Alliance Trust Research Centre, those over the age of 75 faced inflation of some four per cent over the course of April, in comparison to the government’s 2.8 per cent.

However, this statistic was down by 4.7 per cent from March figures.

Despite this people in the age group could be set to struggle most with debt management and making repayments on Personal Loans and other forms of borrowing.

Head of the centre Shona Dobbie said: "The impact of higher prices for basic goods and services, such as heating and food, almost always falls most heavily on the elderly and those on low incomes, as these households spend a larger proportion of their budgets on these necessities."

The study also revealed that the over-75s have now "consistently" faced inflation of three per cent or above for the past 12 months.

This age group had seen inflation of gas, electricity and food rise by 22, 16 and six per cent respectively last month, which could further squeeze their ability to make loan payments.

However, average energy prices were reported to have fallen, with cost of gas and electricity down by about three and one per cent correspondingly during April.

Earlier this month, Jon Bartman from Money, Debt and Credit claimed that Britain is in a "debt epidemic" with a rising number of borrowers struggling with debt and repaying personal loans.

Interfinancial providing you with breaking debt management news.