UK pay growth surges as employment hits record high

Average weekly earnings were up by 3.4% in November - the biggest rise since July 2008

The spending power of British workers increased to its highest level in two years in November following the biggest rise in real pay since September 2016.

Average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, rose by 3.3% on the year, the biggest increase since 2008 and well ahead of inflation, which fell to 2.3% in November.