UK unemployment shows surprise fall to 4.9% as pay growth drops to lowest in five years
ONS data for three months to February is not expected to alter Bank of England’s decision on interest rates
Unemployment in the UK unexpectedly fell in the three months to February, according to official figures – but the fallout from the conflict in the Middle East is expected to cause a rise in job cuts.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that the rate of unemployment was 4.9% in the three months to February.
This compares with 5.2% in the three months to January, a rate that economists had expected to also see in February.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/21/uk-enemployment-rate-pay-growth-ons-interest-rates">Continue reading...UK unemployment falls unexpectedly
- Unemployment drops sharply as inactivity in jobs market rises The Standard —
- Unemployment falls below 5% in surprise boost for Labour The Independent —
- UK unemployment drops sharply to 4.9%, surprising analysts ITV —
- Unemployment drops sharply as inactivity in jobs market rises LBC —
- UK jobs market was in a fragile state – even before Iran war threatened recovery The Guardian —