Low earners have suffered weakest earnings growth over last 26 years

date: 7 November 2012

embargo: For immediate release

Commenting on the latest figures on earnings growth over the last 26 years, published today (Wednesday) by the Office for National Statistics, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'Today's figures show that while the minimum wage has provided an important pay boost to the very poorest workers, inequality has risen throughout the UK over the last quarter of a century.

'The top one per cent benefitted most from the boom, played the biggest role in causing the crash and then protected their earnings during the recession.

'Instead the cost of the economic crisis has been passed on to workers on average incomes, who have lost over £600, while those near the bottom have suffered the sharpest loss of all.

'This shows why we can't return to business as usual. The minimum wage must continue to rise to help the very poorest workers and more employers should pay a living wage to help the low-paid.

'Far bolder reform of executive pay is also needed to tackle soaraway pay at the top.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The ONS figures are available at http://bit.ly/RI33bh

- Further analysis on the figures from TUC Senior Policy Officer Richard Exell will soon be available at www.touchstoneblog.org.uk

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

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Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07887 572130 E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk