One important factor that people are considering during the cost-of-living problems is wages. In the U.K., there is a marked difference in geographical spread. For example, the area of Melton has seen the biggest increase in wages this past year, with hourly pay increasing by 35 percent, a level considerably higher than comparable locales.
This is based on research into the U.K. regions that have seen the biggest wage increases among standard wage rates. The study comes from the financial services provider CMC Markets, who analysed the latest release from the government’s Office for National Statistics. This shows the hourly wage data for every local authority in the U.K. The wage rates are based on the salary from the role, excluding any overtime.
These data show that the Leicestershire area of Melton saw the most significant increase in wages. Melton’s hourly pay on average was £13.33 in 2021, which has now increased to £17.99 in 2022, a percentage increase of 34.96 percent.
The Essex area of Maldon comes in second place. The area had an average hourly wage of £14.67 in 2021, which has increased by 31.77 percent and now sits at £19.33 in 2022.
The Cotswold area, located in Gloucestershire, takes third place. The area currently has an average hourly pay of £17.81, which has increased by 24.89 percent from 2021’s value of £14.26.
The top ten shows:
| Rank | Area | 2021 Average Hourly Pay | 2022 Average Hourly Pay | Past year percentage increase |
| 1 | Melton | £13.33 | £17.99 | 34.96% |
| 2 | Maldon | £14.67 | £19.33 | 31.77% |
| 3 | Cotswolds | £14.26 | £17.81 | 24.89% |
| 4 | Sutton | £16.82 | £20.73 | 23.25% |
| 5 | East Dunbartonshire | £14.99 | £17.89 | 19.35% |
| 6 | Bury | £14.67 | £17.43 | 18.81% |
| 7 | West Oxfordshire | £16.42 | £19.33 | 17.72% |
| 8 | Uttlesford | £17.12 | £19.97 | 16.65% |
| 9 | Midlothian | £15.38 | £17.93 | 16.58% |
| 10 | Three Rivers | £21.13 | £24.63 | 16.56% |
Coming in fourth place is the London borough of Sutton. In 2021, the area had an average hourly pay of £16.82, which in 2022 now sits at £20.73, a percentage increase of 23.25 percent. Rounding out the top five is East Dunbartonshire, one of three Scottish areas in the top ten. The area had an average hourly pay of £14.99 in 2021, which has increased by 19.35 percent in 2022 to £17.89.
Commenting on the findings, CMC Markets’ chief market analyst Michael Hewson tells Digital Journal: “What’s fascinating to see is the huge wage growth in so many areas, and how it isn’t just tied to one area with locations across Britain making their way into the top ten. This wage growth is also seen outside of financial hubs and major cities, which may make people question whether the inner city pressure is worth it.”
