ONLY a “relentless focus” on the cost of living can reverse Labour’s abysmal standing in the polls and the rise of the far right, TUC general secretary Paul Nowak has warned.

In a New Year’s Message on Saturday, the leading trade unionist urged ministers to make economic security a “key dividing line” with Reform UK.

“Right now, the biggest threat facing families is brutally simple — not having enough to live a decent, dignified life,” said Mr Nowak.

“People who once had enough in their pockets to take the family out for a meal, or go on a nice holiday, are now left wondering why life is getting harder, not better.

“If this government wants to rebuild trust, then showing working people it’s on their side as it drives up living standards must be its top priority.”

New TUC polling shows that 21 per cent of British adults are skipping meals every day or most days to make ends meet, with 35 per cent saying their financial circumstances are getting worse.

The union leader said “we need more” following a recent rise to the minimum wage and scrapping the cruel two-child limit.

“Securing Royal Assent for the Employment Rights Act was a major milestone. But workers need to feel the benefits in their payslips and in their day-to-day lives - and they need to feel them fast,” Mr Nowak said.

“The timetable cannot slip. This package must come in on time, in full and emerge watertight from the secondary-legislation process.

“A half-baked ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts won’t give workers the security they need.    

“Paltry fines for deep-pocketed companies that shut out trade unions won’t deter the likes of Amazon from union-busting.    

“And failing to legislate beyond the Act — such as leaving worker status untouched — will simply allow rogue employers to keep running bogus self-employment schemes. If Labour wants to take on Reform, then economic security must be a key dividing line.”    

Speaking to the Guardian, Mr Nowak urged ministers to “build the closest possible positive working relationship with Europe economically and politically” up to and including a customs union as a way to grow the economy.