Higher annual wages for both sexes, says ONS
Weekly earnings for full-time workers climbed 2.8 per cent this year from£420 last year, said the Office of National Statistics. Male employees earned an extra 2.5 per cent against an increase of 3.9 per cent in women's wages.

Stronger growth in hourly earnings for women has meant that the gender gap in pay has been reduced to 13.2 per cent, down from 14.5 last year.

The hourly rate of pay has also increased, according to the report. Hourly earnings were up by 3.2 per cent to£10.68 per hour.

Part-time weekly earnings rose by 1.1 per cent to£131. The weaker growth is caused by a fall in part-time hours and partially by a fall in overtime earnings.

For the tax year ending 5 April this year, the annual earnings for men working full time were£25,100, up 3.6 per cent from£24,200 last year. Annual earnings for women working full time climbed 4.8 per cent to£19,400.