Financial sector bonuses stay high - graduate jobs

Graduates hoping to secure jobs in finance and insurance may be encouraged by figures that show the sector continues to pay some of the highest bonuses.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows workers in the sector received average bonus packages of £12,500 in 2010.

Despite the widespread criticism of excessive bonuses and attempts to clamp down on it, the financial sector accounted for two-fifth of the total payouts across the economy.

Employees in the finance and insurance industries received a collective £14 billion in bonuses, although they account for a mere 4% of the total workforce.

The overall figure was unchanged from 2009, although the average payout dropped by a marginal £100 because of the rise in staff numbers across the sector.

In contrast, health and social care workers took home "negligible" amounts in bonuses last year, the ONS said.

Copyright Press Association 2011