Although the UK unemployment rate rose in the second quarter, wage growth accelerated more than expected, raising the chances of the Bank of England raising interest rates by another quarter-point in September.
The UK unemployment rate increased in three months to May, data released by the Office for National Statistics showed on Tuesday. The ILO jobless rate rose to 4.
"Employment and unemployment both rose again in the first three months of 2023, driven in particular by men," Darren Morgan, director of economic statistics at the Office for National Statistics, said.
The UK total pay grew more than expected in the three months to February and higher job vacancies again strengthened wage demands, official data revealed Tuesday, adding the call for a quarter-point interest rate hike from the Bank of England next month.