Latest data released by the ONS - 21 April 2020
- Prior 17.3k; revised to 5.9k
- March claimant count rate 3.5%
- Prior 3.5%; revised to 3.4%
- February average weekly earnings +2.8% vs +3.0% 3m/y expected
- Prior +3.1%
- February average weekly earnings (ex-bonus) +2.9% vs +3.0% 3m/y expected
- Prior +3.1%
- February ILO unemployment rate 4.0% vs 3.9% expected
- Prior 3.9%
Slight delay in the release by the source. The change in jobless claims is actually a bit of a surprise, in the more positive sense. I would've expected the figure to be much higher given the economic situation.
As for wages, even before the virus crisis we are starting to see waning pressures on that front so that is not good news as we look towards the months ahead.
