Manufacturing pay settlements rise very slightly to highest level for nearly 12 months

The average level of pay settlements in manufacturing has risen very slightly according to the latest figures from EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation.

EEF’s pay data for the 3 months to the end of March 2010 shows that the average pay settlement has risen very slightly to 1.0% from the figure of 0.9% for the previous 3 month period to the end of February. Whilst this is now the highest level since April 2009, it remains at a relatively low level by historical standards.

The number of manufacturers freezing pay fell very slightly to just under a half of all reported settlements during the same period, whilst those deferring their pay settlement also fell very slightly to just under 20% of all reported settlements.

 

Commenting on these latest figures, David Yeandle, EEF Head of Employment Policy, said:-

“This fall in the number of companies freezing or deferring their pay settlement has contributed to the very slight increase in the average level of pay settlements in manufacturing. However, it still remains at an historically low level demonstrating that conditions remain tight for many companies and the fragile nature of the economic recovery.”

Settlement level
- per cent

Number of settlements

Pay reduction

3

Zero (pay freeze)

176

0.01 - 2.00

127 (25 at 1% exactly and 57 at 2% exactly)

2.01 - 3.00

64 (25 at 3% exactly)

3.01 - 4.00

5 (1 at 4% exactly)

4.01 or more

0

The April 2010 Pay Bulletin contains information on 375 settlements covering 67,232 employees. Of these, the average settlement was 0.9% in January 2010, 0.6% in February 2010 and 1.5% in March 2010 although the figures for both February and March 2010 are based on very small samples. These figures may be subject to revision to take into account settlements for this period that have not yet been received.

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