UK claimant count rose 64.3k in November, above expectation of 10.5k. That represents a 2.5% monthly increase. The total count, at 2.7m, was 114.8% above March’s level.
Unemployment rate rose 0.1% to 4.9% in the three months to October, below expectation of 5.1%. Average earnings including bonus rose 2.7% 3moy, above expectation of 2.3%. Average earnings excluding bonus rose 2.8% 3moy, above expectation of 2.6%.