Title

HUMAN RESOURCES

Wages below 2008 levels in two-thirds of council areas

Real wages are still below 2008 levels in nearly two-thirds of UK local authority areas, TUC analysis has revealed.

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.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Dear secretary of state – part 2

By Steve Leach | 01 October 2025

As the new secretary of state Steve Reed settles into his new role, Steve Leach and Colin Copus tell him that now is not a good time for a ‘disruptive, expen...

HUMAN RESOURCES

Levelling the paying field

By Martin Ford | 17 September 2025

With a host of newly-minted unitaries set to spring up around England in the coming months and years, Martin Ford looks at the thorny issue of pay harmonisation

HUMAN RESOURCES

How councils will fare under Fair Funding 2.0

By Jonathan Meek | 04 September 2025

Simon Christian and Jonathan Meek analyse the impact of the Fair Funding Review 2.0 on different council types and highlight the winners and losers among the...

HUMAN RESOURCES

Why the four-day week works for South Cambridgeshire

By Cllr Bridget Smith | 13 August 2025

Cllr Bridget Smith says South Cambridgeshire’s four-day week improved service delivery, staff wellbeing, recruitment, and retention, while cutting agency cos...

Popular articles by William Eichler