UK Oct jobs: Claimant count change upbeat, Wages tick higher

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) noted on Wednesday, the UK’s official jobless rate held steady at 4.3% in September, while the claimant count showed a smaller-than expected rise last month.

The number of people claiming jobless benefits rose by 1.1k in October, against expectations of a 2.3k increase and 2.6k (revised from 1.7k) seen previously. The claimant count rate remained unchanged at 2.3%.

Wage growth, excluding bonuses matched expectations, arriving at 2.2% versus 2.2% (revised higher from 2.1%) last, while the gauge including bonuses surprised positively, coming in at 2.2% 3m y/y versus 2.1% expected and 2.3%(revised higher from 2.2%) last.