EMPLOYMENT Real-terms pay shows rise in prosperity is a myth

Government claims of rising prosperity are called into question today by an analysis of official figures. Data provided by the House of Commons Library to the Labour Party shows a 1.2 per cent fall in real earnings for the last three years.

Northern England has fared worst, with a decline of 12.5 per cent in the North-west and 4.7 per cent in Yorkshire and Humberside. The biggest rise was enjoyed in Greater London with a 7.6 per cent rise, but the South- east outside the capital experienced a decline of 0.5 per cent.

When the pay of part-timers was taken into account, real median earnings stood at pounds 228 in spring 1993 and pounds 225 in spring 1996. Barrie Clement