Average weekly earnings, excluding bonus payments, rose by 0.8% between January and March 2013, according to figures by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
This is the lowest growth rate since comparable records began in 2001.
Average weekly earnings, including bonus payments, rose by 0.4% during the same period. This growth rate has not been lower since the period between March and May 2009, when it stood at minus 0.6%.
Some organisations that responded to ONS’ Monthly wages and salaries survey indicated that bonuses that would normally be paid in March are expected to be paid at a later date.
The figures also showed:
- Average total pay (including bonuses) for employees in the UK stood at £463 per week in March 2013.
- Average regular pay (excluding bonuses) for employees in the UK was £444 per week in March 2013.
- Between January and March 2013, total pay in the private sector was unchanged, while regular pay rose by 0.8%.
- During the same period, total pay and regular pay in the public sector rose by 1.4%.
- Total pay in the public sector, excluding financial services, rose by 1.5%, while regular pay rose by 1.4%.