life, earlier than expected. this afternoon _ life, earlier than expected. this afternoon the _ life, earlier than expected. this afternoon the refuse collectors who had been on strike pronounced victory, a pay rise agreed by the council and the union predicts that these demands will spread elsewhere. what we've seen in the last couple of years _ what we've seen in the last couple of years is— what we've seen in the last couple of years is that labour has become a sellers _ of years is that labour has become a sellers market and over a million vacancies— sellers market and over a million vacancies in— sellers market and over a million vacancies in the country and we siege _ vacancies in the country and we siege huge areas like social care, hgv drivers, gas fitters, there are shortages — hgv drivers, gas fitters, there are shortages and employers need to understand it and it is simply not acceptable that people are expected to see _ acceptable that people are expected to see a _ acceptable that people are expected to see a cut in their living while performing an essential service. today's — performing an essential service. today's figures show across the economy that pays increasing less than prices and wage hikes are limited to sectors with shortages. where that goes is the big unknown of the recovery. a man has gone on trial accused of killing a six year year