Investing.com - The jobless rate in the U.K. remained as expected at an 11-year low in October, while wages rose more than forecast and the unemployment benefits claimant count for November rose less than expected, official data showed on Wednesday.
The Office for National Statistics said that the rate of unemployment remained unchanged for at an 11-year low of 4.8% in the three months to October, in line with forecasts.
The claimant count rose by a seasonally adjusted 2,400 in November, compared to expectations for a increase of 5,500 people, and following an increase of 13,300 a month earlier, whose figure was revised up from a previously reported gain of 9,800.
Meanwhile, the average earnings index, including bonuses, rose by a seasonally adjusted 2.5% in the three months to October, compared to forecasts for it to increase 2.3% and after rising 2.4% in September, revised from an initial 2.3% gain.
Excluding bonuses, wages rose by 2.6%, beating forecasts for a 2.5% rise and following a 2.4% increase in the three months to September.
Following the report, GBP/USD traded at 1.2665 from around 1.2652 ahead of the release of the data, EUR/GBP was at 0.8388 from 0.8391 earlier, while GBP/JPY exchanged hands at 145.79 compared to 145.61 prior to the release.
Meanwhile, European stock markets traded broadly lower. London’s FTSE 100 lost 0.16%, the benchmark Euro Stoxx 50 shed 0.21%, France's CAC 40 fell 0.26%, while Germany's DAX traded down 0.11%.