New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Chart of the Day
15 December 2021

How UK wages are stagnating

Boris Johnson has promised a “high-wage economy”, but pay growth was flat in the year to October.

By Nicu Calcea

Wage growth continued to slow in October as inflation reached a 10-year high, figures published by the Office for National Statistics reveal. 

Real earnings – which are earnings adjusted to reflect changes in consumer and housing costs – were at the same level this October as the year before after a period of artificially high growth over the summer months. 

Real earnings growth reached a peak of 5.8 per cent in April, though this rise can largely be attributed to a lower baseline in April 2020, when earnings declined due to lockdowns and the introduction of the furlough scheme.

Wage growth has slowed in the months since as inflation has continued to rise (it now stands at 5.1 per cent). This meant that, by October, wages had essentially returned to the level they were at last year.

The figures threaten a period of declining living standards in the UK. The Bank of England expects inflation to continue to rise and remain above the target of 2 per cent for the next two years. If wages fail to keep up with price growth, many Britons will find their take-home pay won’t be enough to maintain the lifestyle they’ve become accustomed to.

[See also: Boris Johnson’s demand for higher wages is an opportunity for the left]

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Content from our partners
Can green energy solutions deliver for nature and people?
"Why wouldn't you?" Joining the charge towards net zero
The road to clean power 2030

Topics in this article : ,