UK wages rising at quickest rate in six years

Latest data shows pay is rising at fastest rate since 2009, with average salaries up by just under 3%

Britain's workers are finally receiving a long-awaited pay rise, with average wages increasing at the fastest pace for more than six years, even before the minimum wage hike planned by the chancellor.

Official figures showed that average pay across the economy increased by 2.9%, when comparing May to July with the same period a year earlier.