UK jobs mixed: Claimants count change downbeat, Wages tick higher

The Office for National Statistics noted on Wednesday, the UK’s official jobless rate ticked lower to 4.6% in March, while the claimant count rose more-than expectations.

The number of people claiming jobless benefits increased by 19.4k in April, against expectations of a 7.5k increase and 33.5k (revised up) seen previously. The claimant count rate ticked higher to 2.3% versus 2.2% last.

Wage growth, excluding bonuses disappointed markets in the reported period, coming in at 2.1% versus 2.2% previously, while the gauge including bonuses ticked higher and met expectations, arriving at 2.4% 3m y/y versus 2.3% last.