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The UK jobless rate was lower than expected in the final three months of 2024, and pay growth picked, numbers on Tuesday showed. The Office for National Statistics said the UK jobless rate in the three months to December was 4.4%, where it stood in the three months to November. The unemployment rate had been expected to pick up to 4.5%, according to FXStreet cited consensus. The ONS noted the UK jobless rate increased from 4.3% in the three months to September and from 3.9% in the final three months of 2023. ‘The estimated number of vacancies in the UK decreased by 9,000 on the quarter to 819,000 in November 2024 to January 2025. Vacancies decreased on the quarter for the 31st consecutive period but are still above pre-coronavirus pandemic levels,’ the ONS said. Average yearly growth for regular earnings, so excluding bonuses, was 6.0% in December alone. Growth picked up speed from 5.6% in November. Including bonuses, pay growth picked up to 5.9% in December, from 5.5% in November. For the three months to December, average regular pay growth was 5.9%, accelerating from 5.6% in the three months to November. Total pay growth was 6.0%, picking up speed from 5.5%. The total pay outcome beat the FXStreet cited consensus of 5.9%, while regular pay growth was in line. Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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