Pay rises average 2.9%

British pay increases averaged 2.9% in the quarter through May from the year-earlier period, the same as in the previous three months, according to a review of wage agreements by Industrial Relations Services.

Employers agreed to raise wages by between 2.5% and 3% in half of the accords, said IRS, which is part of LexisNexis. Pay increases at manufacturers remained at 3%, unchanged from the three months through April. Wages growth slowed to 2.7% at services companies from 2.8%.