The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said average regular pay surged to 5.9% in the three months to December – up from 5.6% in the previous three months and the fastest growth since the three months to April last year.
The UK unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.4% in the three months to December, although the ONS reiterated caution over the statistic due to an overhaul of the nation’s jobs survey.
UK earnings growth accelerated for three months running despite further signs of strain in the jobs market as vacancies tumbled once again, according to official figures.
“The number of employees on payrolls was broadly unchanged in the last three months of the year, continuing a medium-term trend of slowing growth.
ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said: “Growth in pay, excluding bonuses, rose for a third consecutive time, with increases seen in both the private and public sector.
