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The speed of UK unemployment remained unchanged within the three months to February, the Workplace for Nationwide Statistics (ONS) has stated.
New evaluation launched on Tuesday revealed the unemployment price for folks aged 16 years and over remained at 4.4 per cent in December 2024 to February 2025.
That is above estimates from a yr in the past, however largely unchanged within the newest quarter.
The information additionally revealed that common weekly pay grew by 5.9 per cent for the three months to February. This was the identical because the earlier quarter, which had been the best degree since April final yr.
In the meantime, pay progress together with bonuses was 5.6 per cent for the interval, as wages outstripped inflation by round 3 per cent.
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ONS director of financial statistics Liz McKeown stated: “Common pay progress stays robust, having elevated barely within the newest interval.
“Progress accelerated within the public sector as earlier pay rises absolutely fed via to our headline figures, whereas pay within the personal sector was little modified.
“The most recent survey outcomes estimate that the unemployment price is unchanged on the earlier three months, whereas individually the variety of workers on payroll fell barely over the identical interval.”
Elevated ranges of wage progress might be thought-about by Financial institution of England officers after they vote on whether or not to cut back rates of interest from their present degree, 4.5 per cent, at their assembly subsequent month.
Minister for employment Alison McGovern stated: “We’re decided to get Britain working once more as a part of our Plan for Change by overhauling Jobcentres, creating good jobs, reworking expertise, transitioning to web zero and delivering the largest improve to rights at work for a era.
“This month, native areas are additionally beginning to roll out their plans to deal with the foundation causes of inactivity as we get Britain again to well being and again to work – backed by a share of £125 million of funding.
“Actual wages are persevering with to rise, and the nationwide dwelling wage can also be coming into impact this month – boosting working folks’s payslips and bettering dwelling requirements as a part of our Plan for Change.”
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In line with the ONS, payrolled workers fell by 21,000 (0.1 per cent) over the quarter however rose by 50,000 (0.2 per cent) over the yr, when December 2024 to February 2025.
However early estimates of payrolled workers for March 2025 decreased by 78,000 (0.3 per cent).
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride MP stated: “At present’s numbers present Labour’s jobs tax is costing jobs. Unemployment is up but once more, and final month the variety of folks on payrolls fell by 78,000 as employers braced for affect.
“It’s working people who find themselves paying the value for Labour’s mismanagement. Evaluation has proven their jobs tax will go away working households £3,500 worse off, whereas their employment rights invoice will price companies £5 billion. Labour’s decisions imply fewer jobs, decrease wages and better costs.
“Solely the Conservatives perceive that it’s enterprise that creates jobs and wealth in our financial system.”
