FTSE 100 CEOs' Pay Exceeds Workers' Salaries

As of midday January 6, 2025, FTSE 100 CEOs will have earned more than the average UK worker's annual salary, with median CEO pay estimated at £4.22 million—113 times the median full-time worker's pay of £37,430. This disparity highlights the fact that CEOs only need to work approximately 29 hours, or less than three days, to surpass the annual earnings of the average worker. While CEO pay rose by 2.5% over the past year, worker pay increased by 7%, underscoring persistent income inequality. The High Pay Centre attributes the widening pay gap, in part, to declining trade union membership, which has weakened workers' bargaining power. Calls for government action to address this inequality include the Employment Rights Bill, which aims to improve job security and union representation. Critics warn that failure to tackle this growing disparity contributes to broader societal issues, including populist discontent and calls for reform.