Investing.com – The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the U.K. rose more-than-expected in August, rising for the first time since January, 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 2,300 in August, after falling by 1,000 in July whose figure was revised down from 3,800.
Analysts had expected the claimant count to fall by 4,100 in August.
The rate of unemployment remained unchanged at a seasonally adjusted 7.8% in August, in line with expectations.
The report said that the average earnings index rose less-than-expected in the second quarter, rising to a seasonally adjusted 1.5%, after rising 1.1% in the first quarter, whose figure was revised down from 1.3%.
Analysts had expected the average earning index to rise by 1.6% in the second quarter.
Following the release of the data the pound was down against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD shedding 0.34% to hit 1.5485.
In a report the U.K. Office for National Statistics said that the claimant count rose by a seasonally adjusted 2,300 in August, after falling by 1,000 in July whose figure was revised down from 3,800.
Analysts had expected the claimant count to fall by 4,100 in August.
The rate of unemployment remained unchanged at a seasonally adjusted 7.8% in August, in line with expectations.
The report said that the average earnings index rose less-than-expected in the second quarter, rising to a seasonally adjusted 1.5%, after rising 1.1% in the first quarter, whose figure was revised down from 1.3%.
Analysts had expected the average earning index to rise by 1.6% in the second quarter.
Following the release of the data the pound was down against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD shedding 0.34% to hit 1.5485.