Pay rises remain 'subdued', but ahead of inflation

Pay rises have remained "subdued" in recent months - although they are still running ahead of inflation, a new study shows.

Median increases in the three months to July were 2%, slightly ahead of RPI inflation - but with no sign that the figure will go up further for the rest of the year, said analysts XpertHR.

A study of more than 50 settlements found that half were lower than last year, a fifth were higher and the rest remained the same.

Sheila Attwood of XpertHR said: "We expect 2% to remain the benchmark pay award to the end of 2016."