16.12.202507:23:05UTC+00UK Wage Growth Slightly Above Estimates

During the three months leading up to October 2025, regular pay in the UK, excluding bonuses, experienced a year-on-year increase of 4.6%, reaching GBP 687 per week. This reflects a slight decrease from the previously revised figure of 4.7% but exceeds the market's anticipated 4.5% increase. In the private sector, wages experienced a slowdown, rising by 3.5% compared to 4.2%, marking the lowest growth rate since the end of 2020. Conversely, public sector pay saw a notable acceleration, increasing to 7.6% from 6.6%, the highest recorded rise. By industry, the most significant annual increases were observed in wholesale, retail, hotels, and restaurants at 5.5%, followed by services at 4.7%, manufacturing at 4.5%, construction at 2.9%, and finance and business services at 2.3%. When adjusted for inflation, real wages saw a modest rise of 0.5%, maintaining the weakest growth rate since 2023.