Low-income families in the UK are facing a grueling wait for their quality of life to improve, according to a new report from a leading research group. The Resolution Foundation warns that at the current pace, it would take 137 years for the living standards of these households to double.

The think tank reports that disposable incomes have remained stagnant for two decades. This long-term freeze has fueled a national "mood of unease" and could trigger further political unrest. The study focuses on 13 million working-age households that earn less than the middle (median) national income. Even though these families are working more hours and taking on more unpaid care roles, their efforts have not led to higher take-home pay.

According to the findings, this slowdown is caused mainly by two factors: weak wage growth and deep cuts to government benefits for people of working age.