Government accused of ignoring workers' plight as UK faces pay squeeze

Pay growth lags behind inflation for the first time in two-and-a-half years, highlighting impact of Brexit uncertainty

Labour and the unions accused the government of ignoring the plight of ordinary workers after UK pay growth fell below inflation in early 2017 for the first time in two-and-a-half years.

Official figures showed that workers' average earnings rose by 2.1% year on year in the three months to March, the weakest increase since July of last year.

Related: UK unemployment rate hits 42-year low but real wages shrink - business live