UK jobs mixed: Claimants count change upbeat, Wages disappoint

The Office for National Statistics noted on Wednesday, the UK’s official jobless rate remained unchanged at 4.6% in April, while the claimant count rose less-than expectations.

The number of people claiming jobless benefits increased by only 7.3k in May, against expectations of a 10.0k increase and 22.0k seen previously. The claimant count rate steadied at 2.3%.

Wage growth, excluding bonuses disappointed markets in the reported period, coming in at 1.7% versus 1.8% last, while the gauge including bonuses also surprised negatively, , arriving at 2.1% 3m y/y versus 2.3% last and 2.4% expected.