UK pay deals hold at 3% as employers eye next budget, Brightmine says

LONDON (Reuters) -Pay settlements by British private-sector employers held at 3% in the three months to July and uncertainty about the economy and possible further tax increases means that cautious approach is likely to continue, wage data firm Brightmine said.

The figures represented the eighth monthly Brightmine report in a row to show the median private-sector pay deal was 3%. In the three months to July last year, settlements were 4%.

Sheila Attwood, Brightmine’s HR insights and data lead, said employers were unlikely to take much comfort from official data last week showing Britain’s economy grew by a stronger-than-expected 0.3% in the second quarter.

“Many employers are continuing to approach wage decisions with caution, keeping wage rises at 3%, in the face of continued economic