Pay deals in the past few months have averaged three per cent, the same level as earlier in the year, a new report showed today.

Basic pay settlements have remained at three per cent since the spring, although deals in the public sector have outstripped those in private firms.

Average awards in the public sector have been 3.5 per cent in the past year, 0.5 per cent more than in private firms.

David Carr, editor of the Industrial Relations Services pay bulletin, said: "The evidence collated so far points to a continuation of settlement stability as we approach the end of the year."

Tuesday November 25, 2003