THE cost-of-living nightmare is “far from over,” the TUC said today after official figures showed RPI inflation easing to 4.9  to 4.5 per cent last month.

General secretary Paul Nowak also warned against more Tory “gimmicks” after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt hinted that the “decisive” drop in inflation could give him room for a further cut in National Insurance contributions.

Mr Nowak said: “This will provide scant relief for hard-pressed families. Prices are still going up — just a little more slowly.