Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to statistics showing average private sector pay is higher in November 2020 than at the same time 12 months ago, for what reason he used a six month period to highlight trends in the level of private sector pay during the 2020 Spending Review statement; and whether he has used a six month period to compare trends in private and public sector pay at previous fiscal events.

The use of a six-month period to highlight trends in the level of private and public sector pay was specifically in response to the effect of Covid-19 on the labour market. Covid-19 has had a significant impact on private sector wages since April 2020, and the intention was to describe these trends at Spending Review 2020.