Investing.com - The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the U.K. declined unexpectedly in November, 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 3,000 in November, compared to expectations for an increase of 7,000 people.
The previous month’s figure was revised down to a gain of 6,000 people from a previously reported increase of 10,100.
The rate of unemployment held steady at 7.8% last month, in line with expectations and unchanged from the previous month.
The report also said that the average earnings index rose by a seasonally adjusted 1.8% in November, below expectations for a 1.9% gain, after rising by 1.8% in the previous month.
Following the release of the data, the pound remained higher against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD adding 0.07% to trade at 1.6124.
Meanwhile, European stock markets held on to gains. London’s FTSE 100 eased up 0.25%, the EURO STOXX 50 rose 0.1%, France’s CAC 40 was flat, while Germany's DAX gained 0.3%.
In a report, the U.K. Office for National Statistics said that the claimant count fell by a seasonally adjusted 3,000 in November, compared to expectations for an increase of 7,000 people.
The previous month’s figure was revised down to a gain of 6,000 people from a previously reported increase of 10,100.
The rate of unemployment held steady at 7.8% last month, in line with expectations and unchanged from the previous month.
The report also said that the average earnings index rose by a seasonally adjusted 1.8% in November, below expectations for a 1.9% gain, after rising by 1.8% in the previous month.
Following the release of the data, the pound remained higher against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD adding 0.07% to trade at 1.6124.
Meanwhile, European stock markets held on to gains. London’s FTSE 100 eased up 0.25%, the EURO STOXX 50 rose 0.1%, France’s CAC 40 was flat, while Germany's DAX gained 0.3%.