'Dismal picture' | Wage growth slows to five-year low as vacancies fall & unemployment holds steady

UK wage growth has slowed to its lowest rate in more than five years, as the latest Office for National Statistics figures point to a cooling jobs market marked by falling vacancies and cautious hiring.

Regular pay rose by 3.8% annually, down from 4.2% in the previous reading, while total pay increased by 3.9%. Real earnings growth remained subdued at 0.4%.