UNIONS are accusing the Conservatives of presiding over the worst period for living standards in modern history.

An analysis by the TUC suggested that by the end of this Parliament, household disposable incomes will have fallen for nearly half of the time the Conservatives have been in office.

By the date of the next general election, household disposable income will have fallen for six of the 14 years the Conservatives have been in power, the union organisation predicts.