Investing.com – The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the U.K. fell significantly more-than-expected in December, dropping to the lowest level in 21 months, official data showed on Wednesday.
In a report, the U.K. Office for National Statistics said that the claimant count fell by a seasonally adjusted 4,100 in December, after falling by 3,200 in November, whose figure was revised from a decline of 1,200.
Analysts had expected the claimant count to fall by 1,400 in December.
Meanwhile, the rate of unemployment was unchanged broadly in line with expectations in November, holding steady at a seasonally adjusted 7.9%.
The report also said that the average earnings index rose less-than-expected in November, rising by a seasonally adjusted 2.1%, falling short of analysts’ expectations for an increase of 2.2%.
Following the release of the data, the pound was up against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD gaining 0.28% to hit 1.6008.
Meanwhile, European stock markets were mixed. The FTSE 100 slipped 0.10%, the EURO STOXX 50 was up 0.03%, France’s CAC 40 added 0.02%, while Germany's DAX climbed 0.15%.
In a report, the U.K. Office for National Statistics said that the claimant count fell by a seasonally adjusted 4,100 in December, after falling by 3,200 in November, whose figure was revised from a decline of 1,200.
Analysts had expected the claimant count to fall by 1,400 in December.
Meanwhile, the rate of unemployment was unchanged broadly in line with expectations in November, holding steady at a seasonally adjusted 7.9%.
The report also said that the average earnings index rose less-than-expected in November, rising by a seasonally adjusted 2.1%, falling short of analysts’ expectations for an increase of 2.2%.
Following the release of the data, the pound was up against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD gaining 0.28% to hit 1.6008.
Meanwhile, European stock markets were mixed. The FTSE 100 slipped 0.10%, the EURO STOXX 50 was up 0.03%, France’s CAC 40 added 0.02%, while Germany's DAX climbed 0.15%.