Britain's workers could see higher wages in 2015, CBI and Weale suggest
Martin Weale, a member of the Bank of England's interest rate setting committee, said that UK workers could be set for bigger pay rises in 2015.
Weale said that employers were becoming more confident, which, in turn, would lead to higher pay awards to employees.
"When I go and visit businesses throughout the country, I find that they are talking of pay increases in a way quite different say from what I was hearing early in the year, certainly this time last year," Weale told BBC Radio 5 live’s Wake up to Money programme.
"I'm getting a more general sense now that people are talking about pay increases which are materially higher than they'd offered in the past, whereas a year ago I would come across quite a few firms saying they were going to have a pay-freeze."
His comments came as a survey from the CBI business organisation showed that half of UK firms plan to expand their workforce next year.
All UK nations and regions are expected to expand employment in 2015, said CBI, adding that it was more optimistic on prospects for young people.
The survey anticipated pay rises in 2015, albeit at a “cautious” rate, but it warned that new regulation could damage job creation.
"We want to see everyone enjoy the rewards of the economic recovery," said the CBI's deputy director general, Katja Hall.
"It's a concern that the UK's growing skills gap is now seen as the number one workforce threat to the long-term health of its economy.
"Companies and the government need to work together to find ways to develop skills within the workforce and help employees move into higher skilled and better paid jobs," she added.