Private-sector pay rises up 2.8% in UK

Pay rises in private firms so far this year have averaged 2.8%, the highest level since the end of 2008, according to a report today.

A study of more than 40 settlements by XpertHR found that median awards increased from 2.5% in the final quarter of last year.

Almost half of January pay deals were worth at least 3%, although six involved wage freezes.

Sheila Attwood of XpertHR said: "The data collected to date suggests that pay bargaining in 2012 has got off to a good start and that, for many private sector workers, pay rises higher than the levels seen in 2011 are a real prospect."