§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the average annual rate of pay increases since 1979, and what are the rates for private sector pay and for public sector pay.
§ The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Lord Young of Graffham)The average annual rate of increase in earnings since 1979, as measured by the Average Earnings Index for the Whole Economy, is just under 10 per cent. The index does not distinguish between private sector earnings and public sector earnings.