UK Dec jobs mixed: Claimant count change sees biggest increase since July 2017

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) noted on Wednesday, the UK’s official jobless rate remained steady at 4.3% in November, while the claimant count showed a much-bigger-than-expected increase last month.

The number of people claiming jobless benefits rose by 8.6k in December, against expectations of a 5.4k increase and 12.2k (revised from 5.6k) seen previously. The claimant count rate remained unchanged at 2.3%.

Wage growth, excluding bonuses bettered expectations, arriving at 2.4% versus 2.3% last, while the gauge including bonuses remained unchanged at 2.5% 3m y/y versus 2.5% expected.