SIR - The Resolution Foundation, a non-partisan and award winning think-tank, conducts authoritative analysis on living standards in the UK, with particular interest in those on low to middle incomes.

It has just released new data based on research carried out, concerning the current position and prospects for the next few years.

The think-tank said a recent mini-boom in living standards has now ground to a halt because of rising inflation and “plateauing” of employment in recent months.

It estimates Britain is on course for a “major” slowdown in living standards, with families seeing almost no income growth before the next general election in 2020 and a fall of 1.2 per cent predicted for this year.

Crucially, Government policies on tax and benefits were blamed for having an unequal impact.

For example, the richest fifth of households are expected to enjoy income gains of around five per cent over the next four years.

But, this compares with an average fall of two per cent for the poorest section of the population.

David Hornsby, West View Avenue, Wrose