HC Deb 13 November 1985 vol 86 cc180-1W
Ms. Clare Short

asked the Paymaster General what was the average increase in pay for each of the past 10 years for (a) the lowest paid 10 per cent. of men and women, (b) the lowest paid 25 per cent. of men and women, (c) the highest paid 10 per cent. of men and women and (d) the highest paid 25 per cent. of men and women.

Mr. Alan Clark

The following table sets out the available information on the annual percentage changes in gross weekly earnings of full-time adult employees at the lowest and highest decile points and at the lower and upper quartiles of the earnings distribution.

The change in earnings at the particular decile or quartile points of the earnings distribution will not necessarily reflect the change in earnings of particular individuals. The position of particular employees in the earnings distribution will vary over time as earnings vary with seniority, changes in grades and occupations, etc.

Percentage increases in gross weekly earnings of full-time adult employees* at decile and quartile points of the earnings distribution
Lowest decile† Lower quartile‡ Upper quartile║ Upper decile¶
Year to April Males• Females■ Males• Females■ Males• Females■ Males• Females■
1976 18.7 21.7 18.1 22.3 18.0 24.8 18.9 25.1
1977 10.8 15.0 10.1 13.5 9.8 9.8 8.7 8.3
1978 11.2 11.2 12.2 10.4 13.0 11.1 13.6 9.9
1979 13.0 13.4 14.1 12.4 14.5 12.0 13.7 10.8
1980 20.7 21.9 20.3 22.8 22.0 25.3 24.3 26.0
1981 11.0 12.9 11.2 12.8 14.2 17.0 15.8 21.6
1982 8.2 7.7 8.9 8.1 10.2 9.2 10.2 7.1
1983 7.4 9.0 7.7 9.8 8.0 10.1 9.1 9.3
1984 6.7 6.8 7.0 6.3 8.7 7.6 9.1 6.7
1985 6.2 7.1 7.2 7.1 8.0 8.4 7.6 6.6

Source: New Earnings Survey

* whose earnings were not affected by absence

† the point below which the earnings of 10 per cent. of employees lie

‡ the point below which the earnings of 25 per cent. of employees lie

║ the point above which the earnings of 25 per cent. of employees lie

¶ the point above which the earnings of 10 per cent. of employees lie

• the figures to 1983 relate to males aged 21 and over; those for 1984 and 1985 relate to males on adult rates of pay

■ the figures to 1983 relate to females aged 18 and over; those for 1984 and 1985 relate to females on adult rates of pay