Official figures show average wages in the UK are continuing to outpace inflation with pay packets rising for both public and private sector workers.
According to the Office for National Statistics, pay, after taking into account the pace of price rises, rose 3.4?tween October and December compared with the similar period a year ago.
The UK's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.4%, although the ONS has advised that its jobs figures should be treated with caution because of low response rates to its employment survey.
The figures follow warnings from businesses that they are planning to cut workforces and raise prices ahead of higher employment costs in April.