Just under half (43%) of UK workers have not received inflationary pay rises in the past two years and the resultant dissatisfaction means 75% are actively looking for a new job.

The Change Recruitment Group survey of 800 candidates on its database found 20% of individuals had received no pay rise, with 52% imagining benefits would be better if they jumped ship.

Of those actively seeking a new job, 44% were looking to move to a more senior position.

A previous Change survey suggested further recession-based frustration for UK workers, with 64% saying they though their career would have progressed further had there been no recession at all.