Investing.com - The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the U.K. declined unexpectedly in December, 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 12,100 in December, compared to expectations for an increase of 100 people.
The previous month’s figure was revised to a drop of 8,900 people from a previously reported decrease of 3,000.
The rate of unemployment dipped unexpectedly to 7.7% last month from 7.8% in November. Analysts had expected the jobless rate to remain unchanged at 7.8% in December.
The report also said that the average earnings index rose by a seasonally adjusted 1.5% in December, in line with expectations, after rising by 1.8% in the previous month.
Following the release of the data, the pound added to gains against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD rising 0.17% to trade at 1.5866.
Meanwhile, European stock markets remained mixed. London’s FTSE 100 eased up 0.2%, the EURO STOXX 50 shed 0.1%, France’s CAC 40 dipped 0.15%, while Germany's DAX gained 0.2%.
In a report, the U.K. Office for National Statistics said that the claimant count fell by a seasonally adjusted 12,100 in December, compared to expectations for an increase of 100 people.
The previous month’s figure was revised to a drop of 8,900 people from a previously reported decrease of 3,000.
The rate of unemployment dipped unexpectedly to 7.7% last month from 7.8% in November. Analysts had expected the jobless rate to remain unchanged at 7.8% in December.
The report also said that the average earnings index rose by a seasonally adjusted 1.5% in December, in line with expectations, after rising by 1.8% in the previous month.
Following the release of the data, the pound added to gains against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD rising 0.17% to trade at 1.5866.
Meanwhile, European stock markets remained mixed. London’s FTSE 100 eased up 0.2%, the EURO STOXX 50 shed 0.1%, France’s CAC 40 dipped 0.15%, while Germany's DAX gained 0.2%.