NI Wages Starting To Meet UK Average

Estimated earnings in Northern Ireland are said to be closing in on the UK average, according to new figures.

Provisional results from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) showed that growth over the year to April 2008, in median gross weekly earnings for all employees in Northern Ireland, was 5.1% (to £346.5).

This was higher than the comparable average UK growth of 3.3% (to £388.4).

However, when full-time employee earnings in Northern Ireland are compared with those for the whole of the UK, the results showed that growth rates over the year were broadly similar.

Gross weekly full-time earnings among Northern Ireland employees increased by 4.3% over the year, compared to 4.6%, in the UK. The median gross weekly earnings for such full-time employees in Northern Ireland at April 2008, was £417.6, or 87% of the UK figure (£478.6).

Improvements in part-time employees’ earnings have contributed most to higher growth rates in Northern Ireland. As such, growth over the year was substantially higher in Northern Ireland (6.7%) than in the UK (2.3%) for part-time employees.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said: "Northern Ireland saw a 5.1% increase in pay over the year, reflecting a positive trend in earnings.

"Such improvements are not to be discounted given the increasing cost pressures that consumers face.

"However, these results cannot be examined in isolation. Economic output is falling throughout the developed world and the Northern Ireland economy is far from insulated from these trends.

"This, coupled with pressure on jobs, increases uncertainty for families up and down the country.

"Therefore, I would encourage businesses to lead the way by continually improving products and services and seeking out new markets for growth. This will provide a firm basis for the way forward," she added.

(PR/KMcA)