Sajid Javid hails Britain’s booming economy ahead of Brexit as pay rockets at its fastest rate in more than a decade
SAJID Javid yesterday hailed Britain’s booming economy as pay rocketed at its fastest rate in more than a decade.
The Chancellor revelled in figures showing average earnings, including bonuses, shot up by 3.7 per cent in the year to June.
It was the highest increase since 2008 and came as a record 76.1 per cent of Britons were in work.
This includes a record 72.1 per cent of women in jobs.
Mr Javid said: “Thanks to the hard work of the British people and the Government, we can further invest in our public services.
“And today’s figures are another sign that despite the challenges across the global economy, the fundamentals of the British economy are strong as we prepare to leave the EU.”
The figures were a welcome boost after last week’s announcement that Britain’s economy shrank by 0.2 per cent last quarter, sparking fears of a recession. But the Office for National Statistics did flag up early warning signs ahead of Brexit.
The jobless number rose 31,000 to 1.33million — the sharpest rise in two years.
Meanwhile, the number of vacancies tumbled by 20,000 to 820,000, the lowest in more than a year.
How to get a pay rise
RECRUITMENT experts reveal their top tips to get a pay rise:
- Do your research – find out the market rate for your job role to see if you should be paid more.
- Know your worth – have concrete evidence of how you’ve performed.
- Timing is key – annual reviews are a good time to ask for pay rises but you may also want to consider the health of the company too.
- Be clear and confident – if you don’t know what you want how is your boss expected to work it out.
- Learn a new skill – if you’re bringing added value to your role this could make you more valuable.
- Go the extra mile – do everything you can to stand out from the crowd.
- Include a plan of what you aim to acheive – this shows that you won’t rest on your laurels if you do get a pay rise.
- Contact the chief executive – if you’re keen for a pay rise then there’s no harm in going straight to the top.
- Consider other options – if a pay rise isn’t available, are there added benefits you could ask for instead, such as flexible working or more holiday?
- Get a new job – if asking for a pay rise doesn’t go to plan then consider moving jobs to get the increase you feel you deserve.
See Top tips to getting a pay rise for more information.
Boris Johnson’s government is insisting that Brexit on October 31 will bring certainty and a big dividend by unleashing stalled investment. Yesterday, Mr Javid met US security adviser John Bolton to discuss a temporary post-Brexit trade deal.
Meanwhile, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd appeared to backtrack on her grim warnings over a No Deal Brexit.
She told ITV News it was “very difficult to tell” what impact it would have.
The Sun Says
THE professional doom-mongers snorted when the Chancellor last week said the fundamentals of the British economy were sound.
But with pay rises at an 11-year high and employment the highest since 1971, it’s hard to disagree with him.
While Westminster watchers work themselves into a frenzy over Brexit, ordinary businesses up and down the country are getting on with it, and families are feeling the benefit.
Brits took on a real burden during the lean years of necessary austerity, as the Government worked to get the country’s finances in shape after ruinous Labour over-spending.
So the people deserve a pay rise but there is still much to do. Productivity is still lower than many of our competitors.
The high street still needs support and it’s hard to argue with those who think the time has come for real reform of business rates.
But in the meantime, don’t let the Project Fear merchants get you down.
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