UK: Claimant Count Change falls further in March against expectations

FXstreet.com (Barcelona) - The number of unemployment people in the UK fell by 7K in March, following a 5.3K drop registered in February, National Statistics reported on Wednesday. Market consensus pointed to no change. The Claimant Count Rate was at 4.6% for the second straight month, against forecasts of +4.7%.

The ILO Unemployment Rate rose to 7.9% in March, against expectations of remaining at 7.8%. Average Earnings excluding Bonus rose 1% in the three months to March, following a 1.3% reading in the three months to February and below forecasts of +1.2%. Average Earnings including Bonus increased 0.8%, in comparison with 1.2% growth and below forecasts of rising 1.2%.