Average weekly pay falls record 2.2 per cent

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But the overall 2.2% decrease to £446.50 masked a significant increase for public sector workers whose weekly pay was 3.4% higher than a year ago. The data showed bonuses were lower than a year earlier.

The Office for National Statistics said wages in the private sector fell 3.4% year on year in January to £448 - also the first decline on record.

Wages in the manufacturing sector rose 1.5% on the year to £494.1 - the weakest rise on record - while pay in the services sector, which accounts for three-quarters of economic output, fell a record 3.1% on the year to £433.6.

Plunging demand has forced many companies to slash jobs and curb wage rises, while a fear of being laid off has also prevented workers from asking for pay increases this year, as unemployment topped 2 million.