HL Deb 05 February 1979 vol 398 cc575-7WA
Lord SKELMERSDALE

asked Her Majesty's Government:

  1. (a) what was the average level of wage increases granted by Wages Councils in each of the last ten years;
  2. (b) what was the total average wage increase in each of the last ten years;
  3. (c) whether there was a statutory wages policy or other guideline in force at the time and if so what it was.

Lord WALLACE of COSLANY

(a) The information cannot be given in the form requested without disproportionate cost. However, the unweighted increase in the lowest statutory minimum remuneration of all 41 existing Wages Councils between 1st January 1969 and 1st January 1979 is approximately 260 per cent.

(b) The percentage increases in the monthly index of average earnings (older series) were:—

1969 8.4 1974 29.1
1970 13.6 1975 19.0
1971 8.9 1976 11.5
1972 15.6 1977 10.6
1973 12.9 1978 (to Nov) 12.7

This index covers all wage and salary earners in production and certain service industries.

(c) There were statutory wages policies in force between January 1969 and June 1970 and November 1972 to February 1974. Voluntary pay limits have applied from July 1975 until the present. At other times there was no specified figure for pay increases. The main statutory requirements were:—

April 1968–December 1969: ceiling of 3½ per cent.

January 1970–June 1970: range of 2½ to 4½ per cent.

November 1972–April 1973: pay standstill.

April 1973–November 1973: limit of £1 plus 4 per cent. subject to a maximum annual increase of £250.

November 1973–November 1974: limit of 7 per cent. or £2 subject to a maximum annual increase of £350.

The main voluntary requirements have been:

July 1975–July 1976: maximum sup-lement of £6 a week on an individual basis with no increase for those earning over £8,500 per year.

August 1976–July 1977: 5 per cent. supplement on an individual basis subject to a minimum of £2.50 and maximum of £4 a week.

August 1977–July 1978: level of pay settlement for a group to be within single figures.

August 1975-present: Increase in average earnings for a group to be within 5 per cent.

At various stages, including the present, there have been exceptions for certain payments, e.g. low paid, pensions, self-financing productivity schemes, cases justifying special treatment.