UK earnings growth accelerated for three months running despite further signs of strain in the jobs market as vacancies tumbled once again, according to official figures.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said average regular pay surged to 5.9% in the three months to December - up from 5.6% in the previous three months and the fastest growth since the three months to April last year.Wages outstripped Consumer Prices Index inflation by 3.4%, the ONS added.The number of vacancies pulled back

UK earnings growth accelerated for three months running despite further signs of strain in the jobs market as vacancies tumbled once again, according to official figures.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said average regular pay surged to 5.9% in the three months to December - up from 5.6% in the previous three months and the fastest growth since the three months to April last year.Wages outstripped Consumer Prices Index inflation by 3.4%, the ONS added.The number of vacancies pulled back once again, down 9,000 to 819,000 in the three months to January.