Britons saw their pay packets continue to lag heavily behind inflation, despite a slight rise in earnings.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that regular wages excluding bonuses plunged by 3.7% over the three months to May against the rate of consumer price index (CPI) inflation; representing the biggest slump in more than 20 years.
Regular pay, excluding bonuses, rose slightly to 4.3% for the period, without taking inflation into account.