Over the past 12 months, average earnings increased only 2.4 percent.

Based on average earnings, that figure today would be just over £1m.

This is a low pay area where average earnings are well below £20,000.

Among those who went to work in 1998, average annual earnings were just $7,700.

Women's average annual earnings are about €4000 less than men's.

The Government also said that average earnings rose 7.75 percent in the first half of 1987.

Among those here working full time after a year, the average weekly earnings were $323.

They are categories with average earnings of up to $35,000 a year.

Only a big jump in average earnings is likely to take the pressure off.

And for the first time since 1982, teacher salaries were less than the average earnings of government workers.