Pay slips again

Millions of workers are earning the same as they were more than decade ago. Living costs have outstripped wage growth, hammering household budgets.

The Resolution Foundation said it meant that once inflation was stripped out, many people’s wages remain at the same level as in 2006.

The news came as the Office for National Statistics said average wages grew 2.1% year on year between June and August. But inflation edged up to a five-year high of 3% last month.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: “Many workers on low to middle incomes are facing a toxic mix this winter of falling wages and a Tory freeze of in-work benefits, such as tax credits and housing benefit.”

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The Chancellor must help struggling families when he gives his Budget next month.”

The jobless total fell 52,000 to 1.4million in the three months to August, with unemployment unchanged at 4.3%, said the ONS.

But the growth in the number of people in work slowed to 94,000, down from a 175,000 jump the previous quarter.

Employment Minister Damian Hinds insisted: “Our economy is helping to create full-time, permanent jobs which are giving people across the UK the chance of securing a reliable income.”