Private sector pay rises fall behind
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PUBLIC SECTOR wage rises outstripped those in the private sector in May for the first time in six years, reflecting the Government's inflation- busting pay awards.
Pay for state employees, such as civil servants, NHS staff and teachers, rose 4.5 per cent in May compared with 4.3 per cent in April. Wage rises in the private sector fell to 4.2 per cent from 4.7 per cent.
It is the first time pay rises for public sector employees have outstripped the commercial sector since May 1993, when they grew by 4.7 per cent.
Official labour figures showed unemployment fell to a new, 19-year low last month, while the number of people in work hit another all-time record. State sector pay growth has more than doubled since May 1997 - the month New Labour won power - when it was running at just 2.2 per cent.
Andrew Smith, the employment minister, said he was confident the rise in public sector pay was a one-off. "The message on pay, whether in the public or private sector, is that continued moderation is essential for the economic stability we need for stable growth and job generation," he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments