Wage growth falls to lowest since 2022

WAGE growth has fallen back to its lowest level for more than three years as firms continue to clamp down on hiring, according to official figures.

- HOLLY WILLIAMS

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said regular wage growth, excluding bonuses, dropped to 4.8% in the three months to July, down from 5% in the previous three months and the lowest since May 2022.

Wages are still outstripping inflation but at a slower pace, as real earnings growth - with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) taken into account - eased back to 1.2%, which is the lowest point since September 2023.

The data showed a rise in total wage growth including bonuses, to 4.7% in the quarter to July, up from 4.6% in the three months to June.

This is a key figure for the pensions triple lock calculation and puts pensioners on course for a 4.7% uplift in the state pension next year, according to experts.