THE fall in real earnings over the past three years means the typical Scot in work is now £1753 worse off, according to official statistics.

One union leader claimed it was a fall in real wages "without ­precedent in modern times".

The Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings also reveals shifting patterns on gender equality on pay.

Across the UK based on hourly full-time earnings the gender gap widened from 9.5% to 10% but in Scotland the gap continued to narrow from 13.95 to 13.3%.

Of the broader figures, STUC general secretary Graeme Smith said: "While today's figures are not as bad as some anticipated, it must be stressed they do confirm yet another real-terms fall in median earnings in Scotland.

"Median full-time earnings have now fallen by 6.2% in Scotland since 2010. In other words, the median earner in Scotland is now £1753 worse off than if pay had kept pace with inflation over this period."

He also pointed out that the worst deterioration had come in those already at the bottom of the earnings table, meaning the poor were getting poorer.

Mr Smith said: "There are other real causes for concern in the data published today, not least the rise in the gender pay gap at UK level. The figures also confirm the bottom two income deciles have seen the biggest real-terms falls in earnings since 2010 thereby exacerbating already significant income inequality in Scotland.

"The ongoing squeeze on real wages is without precedent in modern times and most workers are simply not benefiting from the supposedly strengthening recovery."

The figures showed that median annual earnings for full-time employees were £27,000 in the year to April, an increase of 2.1% from the previous year.

One-tenth of full-time workers earned less than £7.28 an hour - with the adult minimum wage currently £6.31 - while 10% earned more than £27 an hour, both figures increasing by 1.5% over the year.

Chancellor George Osborne said it was "interesting" the ONS figures showed the increase in average earnings keeping pace with inflation.

He told the Commons Treasury Committee: "It shows median gross weekly earnings are increasing at 2.2%.

"That is, of course, the current rate of inflation.

"So I think it points to the broader argument I have been making, which is that, as the economy recovers, that is the route to a sustained increase in the living standards of the people who live in that economy, and you can't pretend the two aren't connected, that you can have a living standards plan without an economy plan."

Women and Equalities Minister Maria Miller said: "The gender pay gap has narrowed significantly in recent years.

"Ten years ago it was at 25% and women's salaries are rising. There are now record numbers of women in work and we are transforming the workplace by extending the right to request flexible working to all employees from 2104, and introducing a system of shared parental leave."

Catherine McKinnell, Shadow Economic Secretary to the Treasury, said: "Prices are still rising faster than wages. Between 2010 and 2013 gross median wages have fallen by over £1600 a year in real terms.

"After three damaging years of flatlining, working people are worse off under the Tories. But the Autumn Statement failed to set out a serious plan."