The Office for National Statistics, ONS, reported that Britain’s unemployment rate increased more than anticipated, reaching 4.2 percent in the three months to February, the highest level for nearly six months.
This marks the highest level in nearly six months, up from 3.9 percent in the previous three-month period ending January.
The jobless rate started from 3.9 per cent in three months to January.
Most economists had been expecting the rate to only edge up slightly to 4 per cent in the quarter.
Then, the official figures showed the regular wage growth, excluding bonuses, falling back once again, to 6 per cent in the three months to February.
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But, thanks to falling inflation, when taking the Consumer Prices Index into account, real regular wages rose by 2.1 per cent, which was the highest for almost two-and-a-half years.
Liz McKeown, ONS director of economic statistics, said, “Recent trends of falling vacancy numbers and slowing earnings growth had continued this month, though at a reduced pace.
“At the same time, we are now seeing tentative signs that the jobs market is beginning to cool.
“Also, a fall in the headline employment rate from our survey and a drop in the total number of people on payrolls from HMRC data.”
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