Wages have soared at a record rate amid fears that inflation could remain unyieldingly high and result in further interest rate rises by the Bank of England.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) disclosed that average regular pay, not including bonuses, was 7.3 per cent higher in the three months to May compared with the same period last year.

It was the same as the revised figure for the previous three months and the joint highest since records began in 2001, the Independent said.

The ONS also revealed on Tuesday that unemployment rose unexpectedly over the quarter.

It said the UK jobless rate jumped to 4 per cent in the three months to May, from 3.8 per cent in the previous quarter.

Blaze Fm