Who is calling the shots when it comes to UK wage levels: workers or bosses?

When Eastbourne’s refuse collectors secured a massive 11% pay rise, increasing to 19% for the lowest paid, it seemed like worker power was back. Despite inflation reaching 11%, workers across the UK have seen wages rise steadily, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of this shift in the balance of power between employers and employees. With remote work reshaping the workplace landscape and the pandemic leaving lasting scars on the economy, the debate continues: are these wage hikes a fleeting respite or a sign of a deeper, systemic change?