Surprise rise in wages – as unemployment unexpectedly stays the same
Average weekly earnings rose 6%, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed, while wages – excluding bonuses – grew 5.9%, despite economists expecting a 5.8% rise.
The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.4%. A rise was anticipated by economists who were polled by the Reuters news agency.
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Even when inflation is factored in wages are still rising.
The ONS, however, has advised caution in interpreting changes in the monthly unemployment rate due to questions over the reliability of the figures.
The exact number of unemployed people is not known – partly because people don’t answer the phone when the ONS calls.
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