the financial crisis hit. wages fell sharply and inflation rose as things like the cost of petrol went up. that led to this long period of pay squeeze and that didn t come to an end until september 20 14. and until today wages have stayed above the cost of living but the gap has been closing and today those lines crossed. individual incomes on average are going down again. donna spicer is a teaching assistant from south east london. she has faced a pay freeze for four years. south east london. she has faced a pay freeze for four yearsli struggle pay freeze for four years.” struggle to eat sometimes. i have no social life. there is no money to go out. and it is a choice of heating and eating. so, one winter we were sitting with blankets, hot water bottles, jackets, jumpers. low unemployment used to mean higher wages as firms chased good workers. i inflation meant workers demanded increased pay rises but people are still concerned about asking for a pay rise while the public