The rise reflects past inflation. Next year as inflation will be higher you'll get a bigger rise which will build in increased fuel costs. When inflation rising your always catching up. When it was falling you were ahead. Am not sure of a waY round it unless they use an average of past and forecast future inflation?
Yes... although that 8% was a real anomaly at the time and no-one could of forseen the huge increase in prices this year due to Russia and other things. Pensioners will end up getting around 8% next year based on the RPI when increases are set and hopefully inflation wll be back down to 3-4% this time next year.... unless the goverment reneges again