Regular pay growth at lowest rate since records began

Regular pay has grown at its lowest rate since records began in 2001, according to the Office for National Statistics. 

 

Average earnings excluding bonuses between April and June rose by just 0.6 per cent year-on-year, while pay in the three months to May had risen by 0.7 per cent. 

 

In comparison, consumer price inflation was 1.9 per cent for June, 1.5 per cent in May and 1.8 per cent in April. 

 

The figures, published this morning alongside more encouraging employment data, also showed that pay including bonuses fell 0.2 per cent, although this was largely blamed on employers paying bonuses out later than usual last year. 

 

Shadow employment minister Stephan Timms said it was "extremely worrying". 

 

"Millions of working people face a cost-of-living crisis which has left them over £1,600 worse off since 2010," he added. "For Iain Duncan Smith to claim that people are 'better off' in the face of these figures shows just how out of touch this government is."