Slowdown in wage growth is ‘cause for concern’, says TUC

Commenting on the ONS labour market figures released today (Wednesday), which show that unemployment fell by 39,000 to 1.63 million over the last quarter, and average weekly earnings (excluding bonuses) increased by 2.1% in the year to July, 0.2 percentage points down on the previous month, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“Today’s figures show a welcome rise in employment, but the slowdown in wage growth is cause for concern – real wages are only rising because of low inflation.

“Theresa May says she wants an economy that works for everyone. That means a real effort to drive up pay.

“We need investment now to create more decent, well-paid jobs, and an end to the public sector pay cap. And the government should stick by its promise to give the lowest paid a pay rise, with increases in the national living wage.”

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