Energy bill hikes are adding to a “huge squeeze” on living standards, a trade union has claimed.

The comments came in response to the latest inflation figures published this week by the Office for National Statistics show that Consumer Price Index inflation remained unchanged at 2.8%.

The ONS said the CPI remained “broadly flat” through the second half of 2012 and into 2013 following a number of years of large increases and decreases.

However the TUC suggested that the squeeze on living standards “shows little sign of letting up” while inflation continues to “outstrip wages”.

Frances O’Grady, TUC General Secretary said: “The recent hike in energy bills has only added to the pressure being felt by struggling households, who in many cases spend over a quarter of their incomes on utility bills.”