Median pay looks set to pass 5%


Over six months or so now, 5% has emerged as the settled median level for pay rises monitored by LRD Payline. Not far behind the 5.4% increase in regular pay (average weekly earnings) in the year to July, but still well behind retail prices index (RPI) inflation at 12.3%. But the spectrum includes higher consolidated rises, of over 11% in a few cases, and unconsolidated lump sums (see page 4). But it may not yet fully reflect pressure from union members (like the 4,000 UCU members on strike in 31 colleges) which may push overall settlement levels higher this autumn.