§ Mr. LeightonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the average annual increase in earnings, and the increase in inflation in each of the last 10 years.
Mr. JacksonAverage annual increases in earnings in the whole economy and in the retail prices index in the last 10 years are as follows:
Whole economy average earnings index Retail prices index Percentage increase Percentage increase 1980 20.7 18.0 1981 12.9 11.9 1982 9.4 8.6 1983 8.4 4.6 1984 6.1 5.0 1985 8.5 6.1 1986 7.9 3.4 1987 7.8 4.2 1988 8.7 4.9 1989 9.1 7.8