Real wages are still below 2008 levels in nearly two-thirds of UK local authority areas, TUC analysis has revealed.
Over a decade and a half on from the global financial crisis, wages are set to be lower – in real terms – in 212 out of 340 UK local authorities in 2024.
Millions of workers are experiencing the ‘longest pay squeeze in more than 200 years', according to the TUC.
London has the highest share of real wage blackspots, with real pay lower than in 2008 in nearly all (94%) of its local authorities. The South East is close behind with 78%.
Lower-paid regions of the UK have also endured wage stagnation. In the North East, for example, real wages are still lower than in 2008 in half (50%) of local authority areas.