Shropshire workers suffer fall in pay
Average weekly pay for Shropshire workers has dropped dramatically over the past year, new figures reveal today.
People in full-time jobs in the county are taking home £24 per week less than they did at the start of 2012, while workers from Shropshire who are employed outside the county are receiving £16 per week less.
Over the course of a year, the average salary drop is more than £1,200 for county workers and over £800 for people in Shropshire who commute.
The figures from the Office for National Statistics have been revealed in a report going to Shropshire Council's cabinet next week.
The data shows that the average weekly pay in Shropshire workplaces is now £410.
But the average amount received by a typical resident is £472 per week, due to people commuting to jobs outside the county.
The report does have brighter news for the county about a rise in the number of people in employment, with more than three-quarters of working age people now in a job.
The report by council performance manager Tom Dodds said in Shropshire the percentage of workforce claiming jobseekers' allowance is better than the levels at the end last three months of 2012; in absolute numbers there was also an improvement from last year.
"The overall employment rate has shown an increase to 75.4 per cent per 2012 compared to 74.7 per cent in December 2011.
"Shropshire's level remains above the average for West Midlands, 68.3 per cent, or Great Britain average, 70.7 per cent.
"In 2012 the average gross weekly full time pay in Shropshire workplaces has fallen by £24 per week while Shropshire residents who travel out of county for their work have seen pay decrease by £16 per week.
"Resident pay continues to be above workplace pay indicating a number of residents commute out of the county.
"Shropshire residents pay remains above the West Midlands average but that gap has narrowed from £23 per week to £3 per week.
"Shropshire workplace pay for 2012 is £410 whilst residents pay is £472 per week."
John Hall, from Shrewsbury's Shop in the Loop group, said:"It is probably a little bit quieter than last year. People are probably tightening their belts and being careful about what they are choosing to buy."