HC Deb 05 February 2002 vol 379 cc845-6W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the percentage difference has been between the increase in public sector pay and private sector pay in each of the last five years. [27922]

Mr. Andrew Smith

The information is as follows:

Public sector (percentage increase) Private sector (percentage increase) Difference (percentage)
1997 2.3 5.1 -2.8
1998 3.7 5.3 -1.6
1999 3.9 5.0 -1.1
2000 3.6 4.4 -0.8
2001 5.4 3.9 1.5

The annual percentage increases are from the Average Earnings Index (published by ONS) for the 12 months to the end of November of each year.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the percentage increase in public sector pay has been in each of the last five years; and what the cost of that increase was. [27923]

Mr. Andrew Smith

The information is as follows:

Public sector (percentage increase) Value of increase (£ billion)
1997 2.3 2.09
1998 3.7 3.45
1999 3.9 3.86
2000 3.6 n/a
2001 5.4 n/a

Note:

The percentage increases in public sector pay are from the Average Earnings Index, headline rate, for the 12 months ending November each year. The indication of the cost is derived by applying the percentages to the paybill for the public sector, which is the sum of the paybill for central and local government and of the paybill for public corporations.