Report
Pay awards: 2027 forecasts and trends
Pay awards have changed little over the past two years. Will that continue into 2027?
Pay awards have remained broadly stable, but organisations face a challenging balance as they plan for 2027. Cost-of-living pressures continue to shape employee expectations, while higher operating and staffing costs, including National Living Wage and employer National Insurance increases, are keeping budgets constrained. Understanding where pay awards are heading provides a stronger foundation for confident, informed pay decisions.
Drawing on responses from 261 organisations representing more than 660,000 employees, this guide benchmarks expected pay awards and examines what is shaping budgets. Use the findings to establish a market-informed starting point for your 2027 pay review.
The report also gives you insight into:
- Forecast pay award levels across key industry sectors
- Upward and downward pressures on pay budgets
- Expected changes to benefits, bonuses, hiring and reward practices
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