Italian families face 1,600-euro autumn price 'sting'

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 2 - The average Italian family faces a 1,600-euro price 'sting' this autumn due to the cost-of-living crisis, consumers association Assoutenti said on Saturday.
    It said hardest hit will be families with big mortgages, which account for around 1,000 euros of the overall autumn hike, following the European Central Bank's interest-rate rises.
    Assoutenti sees the average household's food bill rising by 190 euros, with fuel costing around 100 euros more on average.
    It said families will also be hit by rises in utility bills, and in the cost of school books and materials, and of eating out.
    Assoutenti President Furio Truzzi called on the government to increase income-tax cuts, extend the number of products set to be subjected to price controls in a bid to rein in inflation and to reduce fuel duties.
    "A cut of just 10 cents (in petrol duties) would lead to a reduction of over six euros for every fill-up when VAT is considered," Truzzi said. (ANSA).