According to a TUC analysis, official figures show that on the eve of the recession workers across the UK were earning a total of £690bn (in 2012 prices). 

However despite rises in employment, a combination of falling real wages, reduced hours and changes in the kind of jobs people are doing, the UK’s total pay packet went down by 7.5% over the last five years – a real terms annual cut of £52bn in 2012.

The UK’s overall pay packet fell to £638bn last year.

Frances O’Grady, TUC general secretary, said: “Over the last five years, people have taken a massive hit in their pay packets, while millions more have had to reduce their hours or take lower paid work. Many people have lost their jobs altogether.

“Taken together, our pay and jobs crises have shrunk Britain’s total annual pay packet by more than £50bn. It’s no wonder businesses are struggling when so much demand has been sucked out of the economy.

“Britain’s shrinking wages are hitting people’s living standards, holding back businesses and damaging our growth prospects. Britain desperately needs a pay rise.

“While economic growth is the key challenge facing the UK today, the years running up to the crash taught us that growth without wage gains just creates more unsustainable debt.

“Employers and both local and central governments need to recognise the importance of decent wages in delivering sustainable economic growth. They can start by becoming living wage employers and being more transparent about their pay systems.”

The North West experienced the sharpest cut in its overall pay packet between 2007 and 2012 – a fall of 10.6% or £7bn last year. The South West, West Midlands and Scottish economies have also seen employees’ overall pay packets shrink by around ten per cent.

The analysis shows that the modest rise in the number of people in work since 2007 has failed to offset the sharp real-terms cuts to people’s wages. Overall pay packets were at least £1bn smaller last year in every English region, as well as Scotland and Wales, compared to pre-recession levels.