PAY AND BENEFITS - Pay reports Pay increase worth 2.9% at Royal Mail . 2.5% increase at House of Fraser . Up to 5% pay rise for First Direct staff . New two-year agreement for the plumbing industry . 2.5% at national assembly for Wales . 3% uplift at the Western Mail & Echo . Building brick industry rates rise by 4% . 3% for Siemens Business Media Services