May 15 2018, 2:00 PMMay 16 2018, 11:49 AMMay 15 2018, 2:00 PMMay 16 2018, 11:49 AM
Average UK earnings rose 2.9 % in Q1 , outstripping consumer - price inflation – at 2.7 % – for the first time in more than 12 months , according to the Office of National Statistics . Wages rose is response to a tightening labour market as unemployment hit a 43-year low of 4.2 % . While inflation is set to continue falling , the effects of inflation warned little slack ##ening in the economy and higher wages could cause a corresponding jump in the cost of living .