First of all I underwent some of the years of an annual 1% pay increase, so I do appreciate what it meant. Secondly, I fully anticipate being flamed/attacked/criticised for what I'm about to say....
However, in the interests of accuracy, while a 1% pay rise is measly, and doesn't compensate for previous years low awards,
it does currently represent an "above inflation" (albeit CPI) pay increase.
CPI is currently at 0.3%, and the Bank of England is anticipating that inflation may actually go negative for a while:
BBC News - Economy tracker: Inflation