Average weekly earnings are £489

The patterns of pay for Britain's workers have been revealed in the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE).

Last year the average weekly earnings for full-time UK employees on adult rates rose two per cent from £479 in 2008 to £489.

The median gross annual earnings for full-time employees who have been in the same job for at least a year were £28,300 for the 2008-09 tax year.

Men are still earning more than women on average. The median gross annual earnings for females were £22,200, compared with £28,300 for males.

This is explained in the ASHE report by some female employees taking time off from the labour market to have children. "When they then return to work, some of their male counterparts may have been promoted and as such could have progressed to a higher level of earnings."

The report also found that those working part-time were more than twice as likely not to be paid the minimum wage.

For more information on Financial Services visit our Financial Services section.