Pay levels and awards

New and updated

• Type:

  Economic data

  Pay awards

  Updated to include the Brightmine pay settlement data for the three months to the end of July 2026. Brightmine will publish the next pay figures on 23 September 2026. 

• Type:

  Editor's choice

  Survey analysis and Benchmarking data: The complete list

  Updated to include new survey analysis on: grievances research 2026. 

• Date:

  19 August 2026

  Type:

  Survey analysis

  Pay trends August 2026: Awards continue to track familiar levels

  Pay award levels remain close to those recorded during the first half of 2026, with the median settlement standing at 3.2%.

• Type:

  Economic data

  Average earnings

  Updated to include official earnings data from the ONS for June 2026. The next ONS release date is 15 September 2026. 

• Date:

  6 August 2026

  Type:

  Commentary and insights

  Wage compression: Practical steps to manage its effects

  Wage compression has shifted from a background reward concern to a strategic risk that employers can no longer afford to ignore. Dean Morley sets out practical steps that organisations can take to address its effects.

• Type:

  International

  Global minimum wage rates comparative table

  From 1 August 2026, a new minimum wage rate applies in Argentina. Additional information has been added on minimum wage rules in Belgium, Germany, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates.

• Date:

  22 July 2026

  Type:

  Survey analysis

  Pay trends July 2026: Pay settlements remain on a steady 3.3% footing

  Pay settlement levels remained stable in the second quarter of 2026, with the median basic pay award holding at 3.3% for the third consecutive revised rolling quarter amid continued stability across both the public and private sectors.

• Date:

  3 July 2026

  Type:

  Podcasts and webinars

  Webinar: Practical actions to manage wage compression

  This webinar explores practical ways to identify and resolve bottom-end wage compression, including the impact of National Living Wage increases, pay "bunching", and real-world insights.

• Date:

  24 June 2026

  Type:

  Survey analysis

  Pay trends June 2026: Settlements stabilising at 3.2%

  The pay award landscape continues to evolve as more 2026 deals are agreed. At the midpoint of the year, the median pay settlement stands at 3.2%, while a first look at predictions for 2027 indicate there may be a small downward shift next year.

• Date:

  4 June 2026

  Type:

  Podcasts and webinars

  Webinar: Pay and labour market update, June 2026

  In this 45-minute session, Sheila Attwood, senior content manager at Brightmine, shares the latest insights from the Brightmine pay awards dataset. Watch this timely briefing for a clear, evidence-based view of where pay is heading next.