Crossword Genius

No pay rise, as few agree arrange­ment before final letter to Europe (4,6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wage freeze

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'no pay rise' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'few agree arrangement before final letter to europe' is the wordplay.
'arrangement' indicates anagramming the letters.
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'final letter' becomes 'z'.
'to' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'europe' becomes 'e' (this could be a standard abbreviation I've not previously seen).
'few'+'agree'='fewagree'
'fewagree' with letters rearranged gives 'wagefree'.
'wagefree'+'z'+'e'='WAGE-FREEZE'

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for wage freeze that I've seen before include "Period of pay restraint" , "restriction on pay" , "anti-inflationary measure" , "without the prospect of more money?" , "No chance of a raise" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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