What’s more, the latest Labour Market Outlook survey findings suggest that there is little cause for getting out the bunting. It suggests that wage growth expectations for the year ahead have strengthened modestly over the past three months, but remain subdued. Median basic pay expectations in the 12 months to September 2018 for the private sector remain unchanged at 2%, which is consistent with official data which show that basic wage growth has settled at between1.8%-2.2%.

However, perhaps the more interesting data reveals some of the reasons why wages have failed to keep pace with inflation and respond to a low unemployment rate. These include weak wage pressure from staff, limited skills shortages and low productivity. For instance, almost two-in-five private sector firms say that are under no pressure to increase wages for their staff. The most common reason given by private sector employers (23%) for the lack of pressure is a recognition among workers that the business cannot afford generous pay increases, underlining the productivity challenge many firms face. According to the most recent official data, productivity has fallen for the second consecutive quarter, and it should come as no surprise that wage growth has not risen given the close relationship between pay growth and productivity in the UK:

It remains to be seen, therefore, whether employers will be able to meet even modestly higher pay expectations if productivity improvements fail to materialise between now and the time of their next basic pay award.

What we’re seeing, therefore, is that it is the UK’s ongoing poor productivity growth that is preventing employers from paying more, not their inability to find or retain staff. This is why, in the CIPD’s view, the Chancellor should have prioritised investments that will support workplace productivity improvements in last week’s Budget. And, as the CIPD recommended in its budget submission to HM Treasury, investing in support for small firms and skills development initiatives is essential to help to drive productivity gains over time. The evaluation report of our People Skills pilot scheme shows that the provision of quality, locally delivered HR support for SMEs will go some way to tackling the productivity challenge gripping the UK economy. While our submission was not taken on board by the Chancellor on this occasion, the CIPD does continue to meet with policy makers to demonstrate the vital role HR can play in improving productivity just when the UK really needs it.