Wage growth in Britain has slowed, adding to the pressure on households from a renewed cost of living squeeze and complicating the Bank of England's interest rate decision this week.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed average total earnings, including bonuses, grew 3.9% in the three months to July, down from 4.1% in the previous period and in line with City forecasts.
That 3.9% figure is expected to set the increase in the state pension this year under the triple lock, which lifts the benefit by inflation, average wage growth, or 2.5%, whichever is highest.
The jobs market is showing further signs of cooling.
The number of workers on company payrolls continued to slip, dragged down by losses in retail and hospitality, while vacancies fell to 702,000 from 706,000.
Liz McKeown, the ONS director of economic statistics, said vacancies remained at their lowest level outside the pandemic for more than a decade, with smaller firms blaming rising labour costs for hiring caution.
The backdrop is a war in Iran that has pushed oil above $107 a barrel and driven up petrol and diesel prices.
The Bank meets on Thursday, with most investors expecting the base rate to stay at 3.75%, though some see a slim chance of a quarter-point rise to head off inflation.
Official data on Wednesday is forecast to show inflation rose above 3% in August, well clear of the Bank's 2% target.
Unemployment held steady at 4.9%, defying expectations of a rise to 5%.
