Pay growth for British workers unexpectedly increased at the strongest rate for three years amid the lowest levels of unemployment since the mid-1970s. The Office for National Statistics said average weekly earnings excluding bonuses in the three months to July increased by 2.9% compared with a year ago, up from 2.7% in June. Total pay including bonuses picked up from 2.4% in June to 2.6% in the three months to July. The gradual increase for workers’ pay will provide welcome relief for UK households struggling with higher levels of inflation since the EU referendum, when the sudden drop in the pound pushed up the ... (full story)