Investing.com – The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the U.K. rose more-than-expected in September, rising for the second consecutive month, official data showed on Wednesday.
In a report, the U.K. Office for National Statistics said that the claimant count rose by a seasonally adjusted 5,300 in September, after rising by 3,800 in August, whose figure was revised up from 2,300.
Analysts had expected the claimant count to increase by 3,900 in September.
The rate of unemployment declined unexpectedly, falling to a seasonally adjusted 7.7% in August, after holding steady at 7.8% in July.
Analysts had expected the rate of unemployment to remain unchanged at 7.8% in August.
The report said that the average earnings index rose more-than-expected in August, rising by a seasonally adjusted 1.7%, after rising by 1.3% in July, whose figure was revised down from 1.5%.
Analysts had expected the average earning index to rise by 1.6% in August.
Following the release of the data, the pound was up against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD gaining 0.45% to hit 1.5882.
In a report, the U.K. Office for National Statistics said that the claimant count rose by a seasonally adjusted 5,300 in September, after rising by 3,800 in August, whose figure was revised up from 2,300.
Analysts had expected the claimant count to increase by 3,900 in September.
The rate of unemployment declined unexpectedly, falling to a seasonally adjusted 7.7% in August, after holding steady at 7.8% in July.
Analysts had expected the rate of unemployment to remain unchanged at 7.8% in August.
The report said that the average earnings index rose more-than-expected in August, rising by a seasonally adjusted 1.7%, after rising by 1.3% in July, whose figure was revised down from 1.5%.
Analysts had expected the average earning index to rise by 1.6% in August.
Following the release of the data, the pound was up against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD gaining 0.45% to hit 1.5882.