Pay settlements by British private-sector employers remained flat at 3 per cent in the three months to June, marking the seventh consecutive month without growth, according to Reuters, citing a Brightmine survey published on Wednesday. The data reflects a real-terms pay cut for many workers, with consumer price inflation rising to 3.6 per cent in June — its highest level in over a year. "While 3 per cent is consistent, it's also stagnant, and real-terms pay erosion is starting to reappear," said Sheila Attwood, HR insights and data lead at Brightmine. A year earlier, private-sector pay settlements averaged 4.8 per cent, signalling a retreat from previous inflation-linked increases. Public-sector settlements stood higher at 4.3 per cent, but tensions persist, with the threat of strike action by doctors testing the Labour government's ability to manage rising pay demands. Brightmine analysed 195 pay deals covering over 2.5 million employees. Attribution: Reuters Subediting: M. S. Salama
