Finance Minister English to keep lid on public sector wages

Finance Minister English to keep lid on public sector wages
By Paul McBeth Jan. 21 (BusinessDesk) - Finance Minister Bill English has warned public sector employees will face "restrained" wage increases as he tries to get the government books back in the black while contending with lower than expected inflation. Government data today showed consumer prices fell 0.2 percent in the December quarter as plunging oil prices made petrol cheaper, in-season fruit and vegetables came to market, and consumer electronics were discounted at a higher rate. The annual pace of inflation slowed to 0.8 percent, ju...