Pay deals fall back to 2.3 per cent

Wage rises have fallen back to 2.3 per cent following lower awards in leisure, retail, fast food and other private services firms, according to Incomes Data Services (IDS).

The median increase in the quarter to October was down slightly from 2.4 per cent the previous month. The study covers October's 2.5-per-cent rise in the national minimum wage, to £6.08 an hour, but IDS said some firms only increased pay rates directly affected.