Total pay (including bonuses) for employees in the UK rose by 0.8% between December 2012 and February 2013, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Its Labour market statistics, April 2013 showed that regular pay (excluding bonuses) for this group, meanwhile increased by 1%.

In addition, between February 2012 and February 2013, the consumer prices index (CPI) increased by 2.8%.

In February 2013, average total pay for employees in Great Britain stood at £464 per week, while average weekly regular pay totalled £443.

The figures also showed that public sector pay rose by 1.7% between December 2012 and February 2013, while private sector pay rose by only 0.5% during the same time period.

This, is despite the fact the government extended its 1% cap on public sector pay rises by a year to 2015/16 in the 2013 Budget.