HL Deb 04 April 1985 vol 462 cc425-6WA
Lord McCarthy

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On an annual basis from 1963 to the latest available year, what has been the percentage of total amount of net increase in basic weekly rates of wages or minimum entitlements achieved by the following methods:

  1. (a)Direct negotiation;
  2. (b)Joint industrial councils and other joint standing bodies;
  3. (c)Wages councils and other statutory bodies;
  4. (d)Sliding scale agreements.

The Minister without Portfolio (Lord Young of Graffham)

The only information readily available relates to the percentage increases in minimum basic weekly rates or minimum entitlements arising from a representative selection of national collective agreements and statutory wages orders for manual employees. These details were given in my reply to the noble Lord's Question on 1st April, at columns 111–112.

Annual information since 1963 on the minimum basic rates or minimum entitlement for particular national agreements and statutory wages orders is published in the series of volumes Times Rates of Wages and Hours of Work published by the Department of Employment. Copies are available in the Library.

Lord McCarthy

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What, on an annual basis from 1963 to the latest available year, has been the annual percentage change in average gross weekly earnings and annual charge net of overtime for:

  1. (a)All employees,
  2. (b)Manufacturing employees only.

Lord Young of Graffham

The available information for the average earnings index is set out below. Comparable figures are not available for all employees throughout the period, but the most comprehensive figures available prior to 1977 are given. Comparable information for earnings excluding overtime is not available.

Annual percentage increase (1) in average gross weekly earnings in Great Britain
Production industries and some services (older series) Manufacturing
1964 7.6 8.1
1965 7.1 6.7
1966 6.6 6.2
1967 3.5 3.6
1968 7.8 8.3
1969 7.9 8.1
1970 12.1 12.8
1971 11.2 11.1
1972 12.9(1) 12.9(1)
1973 13.5(1) 12.9(2)
1974 17.8 17.2
1975 26.5 26.1
1976 15.5 16.5

Whole economy (new series)
1977 9.1 10.3
1978 13.0 14.4
1979 15.5 15.6
1980 20.3 17.8
1981 12.9 13.3
1982 9.4 11.2
1983 8.4 9.0
1984 6.1 8.8

Notes

1 The increase may be affected by temporary factors such as industrial disputes and the timing of pay settlements. Also, changes in average earnings reflect changes in the structure of employment and in overtime and bonus payments and will not necessarily correspond to changes in basic pay for comparable jobs.

2 Based on 11 months' data for 1972, due to the absence of earnings data for February 1972 because of the effects of the coal-mining dispute.

Sources: Economic Trends Annual Supplement 1985 Edition, Table 110

Employment Gazette September 1983, Table 5.1

Employment Gazette February 1985, Table 5.1