UK Unemployment Rate Stabilized in 4Q as Wage Growth Gained Pace

By Xavier Fontdegloria

The U.Okay.’s jobless charge held at low ranges within the final three months of 2022 whereas pay progress accelerated additional, signaling that the labor market remained tight at year-end regardless of weakening financial progress.
The U.Okay. unemployment charge stood at 3.7% within the fourth quarter, unchanged from the speed recorded within the three months by means of November, in line with knowledge from the Office for National Statistics launched Tuesday.

The studying is consistent with economists’ expectations in a ballot by The Wall Street Journal.
U.Okay.’s unemployment charge stays near the three.5% seen within the three months to August, which marked the bottom stage since 1974.
Despite the stabilization of the employment charge, there have been some indicators pointing to a cooler labor demand. Job vacancies continued their downward development on the finish of the yr, the info confirmed. Vacancies fell by 76,000 within the three months to January in contrast with the quarter to October, though they stood at 1.134 million, a excessive quantity in line with historic requirements.
Still, the latest estimate of payrolled staff rose by 102,000 individuals in January, up from a 47,000 enhance in December. Adjusted jobless claimants fell by 12,900 on month.
Average weekly earnings excluding bonuses elevated 6.7% on yr within the fourth quarter, accelerating from the 6.5% within the previous three-month interval.
Tightness within the U.Okay.’s job market partly displays a decline in labor provide as many individuals left the workforce throughout the coronavirus pandemic. In 2022’s fourth quarter, the inactivity charge decreased 0.3% in contrast with the third quarter, however remained 1.2 proportion factors above prepandemic ranges.
Write to Xavier Fontdegloria at xavier.fontdegloria@wsj.com