The average weekly earnings of full-time employees in enterprises with five or more persons employed in the distribution and business services sectors were £427.60 in June 2001, compared with £390.85 in June 2000, a rise of 9.4 per cent in the year.

Central Statistics Office (CSO) data show average weekly earnings in the distribution sector were £423.63 in June 2001, compared with a June 2000 level of £379.32, a 11.7 per cent rise.

In the business services sector, average weekly earnings rose by 8.2 per cent in the year, from £397.21 in June 2000 to £429.77 in June 2001.