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Fewer companies appear to be implementing pay freezes

The proportion of pay freezes is stabilising, according to reports from IDS Pay Databank.

Figures from the organisation show at the end of May the median pay settlement was 2% - the same as April. This shows fewer employers could be implementing pay freezes, which would lower the median number.

And, according to Average Earnings Index findings from the Office for National Statistics, average earnings grew by 3.3% including bonuses and 2.7% without bonus payments in the year ending April 2009.

Ken Mulkearn, editor of the IDS Pay Report, said: "Our findings on basic awards, plus the figures on earnings growth, show significant retrenchment on pay and jobs in 2009 is taking place alongside continued, albeit more modest, pay awards, So far, pay cuts are rare. And in many cases where there has been no across-the-board award this year, eligible employees are still receiving progression increases and/or bonuses."