KPMG’s UK chief economist Yael Selfin said regular pay excluding bonuses rose 3.4% YoY in the three months to May, with little evidence recent energy-price increases have been passed into pay settlements. Weak hiring is weighing on workers’ bargaining power and private-sector wage growth remains below the level consistent with the Bank of England’s 2% inflation target. Selfin expects the BoE to keep rates unchanged at next week’s meeting and says energy-market developments will likely play a lar

2026-07-21

KPMG’s UK chief economist Yael Selfin said regular pay excluding bonuses rose 3.4% YoY in the three months to May, with little evidence recent energy-price increases have been passed into pay settlements. Weak hiring is weighing on workers’ bargaining power and private-sector wage growth remains below the level consistent with the Bank of England’s 2% inflation target. Selfin expects the BoE to keep rates unchanged at next week’s meeting and says energy-market developments will likely play a larger role in shaping the rate outlook over coming months.