WARRINGTON CHamber Plus CEO Stephen Fitzsimons has expressed concern as payrolled employment in Warrington fell 0.6% over the year to May 2026, 602 fewer workers, with a further monthly dip of 0.2% sustaining the downward pressure.
While employment figures have shown a downward trend, the median pay packet in Warrington is up 4.2 per cent over the past year at £2,630.
Across the North West, payrolled employment edged down 0.6% over the year to May 2026. Warrington ranked 18th of 39 towns and cities in the North West by employment change over the past year.
The median pay packet for workers in Warrington stood at £2,630 in May 2026, up 4.20% over the past year and ahead of inflation at 2.97%. After a period of sharp inflation from 2022 that eroded real earnings, wages have been recovering. Workers in Warrington are now £41 a month better off in real terms than in February 2022, when median earnings stood at £2,088 a month. The total pay bill in Warrington rose 4.1% over the year, faster than headcount, suggesting average earnings per worker are improving.
The data is from analysis of the latest HMRC Real Time Information (RTISA) and ONS Consumer Price Statistics by WageSight.
Paul Hebden, Campaign Salience, said: “Employers in Warrington have reported a significant dip in payroll in the latest figures. It’s too early to tell if this is businesses bracing agains the impact of the current economic uncertainty on inflation. On the flip side, wages for those in work continues to surge. The positive story is that workers in Warrington are seeing their pay packets grow. That’s money in people’s pockets, and it matters for local businesses and public services. But there will be understandable concern at the employment picture.”
Nationally, payrolled employment edged down 0.4% over the year to May 2026.
Warrington Chamber Plus CEO Stepehn Fitzsimons said: “Whilst the increase in pay for those in employment will be most welcome, the slight fall in overall employment is a concern. We have seen local companies defer their investment intentions because of the war in Iran and from increases in National Insurance payments, with the youth disproportionately affected.
“Nevertheless, Warrington remains robust, with one of the highest levels of employment in the north of England.
1 Comment
Warrington could e said to be a. Town where people commute to work in places like Liverpool, Manchester where the jobs and wages are higher. Has this been factored in? You have to go where the work is