Oldham workers in pay dismay

PAY in Oldham is the eighth hardest-hit in the North West — with the real value of average earnings having dropped by 13.8 per cent since 2008.

The Government predicts the economy will grow steadily to 2020. Workers will want to see that growth translating into pay rises above inflation to make up the lost ground, says the GMB union.

The real value of average earnings of all full-time employees resident in the North-West has dropped by 12.4 per cent between 2008-2015, a new GMB study of official earnings data shows.


Oldham’s annual average earnings

2008: £25,849.

2015: £27,595

Increase of £1,746 or 6.8 per cent, but a 13.8 per cent drop in real value of earnings between April, 2008, and April, 2015.