We are in the throws of determing salary increases in 2010 and the appropriate % increase we can work to.  Our parent company wants to be quite strict on increases (although we have the challenge of inconsistency in other parts of the business where salary increases have been issued) and we are trying to "encourage" them that whilst we need to continue managing costs, it is difficult to manage the message that we are spending money in other areas but may not have the budget for salary increases.  I realise salary increase percentages are a sensitive subject but I would be interested to understand what other private sector companies may be paying this year.