Average earnings in the Staffordshire Moorlands have fallen by 1.6 per cent over the past year, according to new figures released by the Global Payroll Association (GPA). The district is one of 23 local authority areas across the UK where salaries have declined despite national wage growth.
The figures come after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced during the Spring Statement that millions of workers are set to receive a £1,400-a-year pay rise, following a 6.7 per cent increase in the National Living Wage from April.
GPA’s analysis of average annual earnings data for the UK shows that wages have increased steadily over the last decade, with the exception of 2021 when they fell by 0.7 per cent. The strongest annual rise occurred in 2024, when average earnings grew by eight per cent to £38,224. The organisation forecasts that this could increase to £43,834 by 2030, representing a further 15 per cent rise.
Despite this overall growth, 23 local authority areas, including five London boroughs, recorded a drop in average earnings between 2023 and 2024. The largest decrease was seen in Coventry, where wages fell by 16.6 per cent, from £39,800 to £33,182.
Other areas reporting a fall in earnings include Mid Sussex (-7.4 per cent), Boston (-5.6 per cent), Gravesham (-5.3 per cent), Colchester (-4.2 per cent), Moray (-4.2 per cent), Stroud (-4.1 per cent), Hammersmith & Fulham (-4 per cent), Lambeth (-3.9 per cent) and the New Forest (-3.8 per cent).
Staffordshire Moorlands recorded a 1.6 per cent drop, placing it alongside West Dunbartonshire (-1.6 per cent) and Bromley (-1.6 per cent). Other areas affected include Hinckley & Bosworth (-1.5 per cent), Castle Point (-1.2 per cent), Tandridge (-1.2 per cent), Derbyshire Dales (-0.9 per cent), East Renfrewshire (-0.6 per cent), Worcester (-0.2 per cent), and High Peak (-0.1 per cent).
The analysis was based on Office for National Statistics data for average gross annual earnings.
Melanie Pizzey, CEO and founder of the Global Payroll Association, said: “At the very top line, UK workers have enjoyed a decade of consistent earnings growth, with the biggest annual boost coming last year. This growth is forecast to continue through to 2030, however, not every area of the nation is enjoying the same positive upward trends.
“And while the Chancellor has been quick to claim the plaudits of increased earnings due to the rise in the National Living Wage, it’s the changes to employer National Insurance Contributions that have a greater potential to derail wage growth.
“From this week, UK businesses are required to pay a significantly higher contribution where National Insurance is concerned and we’ve already seen mass redundancies leading up to the 1st April from those businesses who simply can’t stomach the increase.
“While UK businesses have already streamlined their workforce, the chances are that pay rises will also be fewer and further between over the coming years and this could well reverse the positive earnings growth seen over previous years.”
