UK Jobless Rate Steady at 4.7% as Employment Surges

The United Kingdom’s labour market showed resilience in the April–June period, with the International Labour Organization unemployment rate unchanged at 4.7%, matching economists’ forecasts. Employment increased by 239,000 on a three-month basis, comfortably exceeding the 185,000 rise expected by analysts. June’s claimant count—people claiming unemployment-related benefits—fell by 6,200, reversing a 25,900 increase the previous month. Pay growth remained firm but continued to ease from last year’s highs. Average weekly earnings including bonuses were 4.6% higher than a year earlier, slightly below the 4.7% consensus and down from 5.0% in the prior release. Excluding bonuses, wage growth held at 5.0%, in line with forecasts.