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August 9, 2020, London, UK: File photo dated 17/02/16 of a Job Centre Plus in London.
Philip Toscano/Zuma Press
The U.K. saw 94,400 more people file for unemployment benefits in July while hours worked fell to a record low.
The rise in what’s called the claimant count, which was more than the 77,500 expected in economist poll, also includes those who can file for benefits while still being employed.
The Office for National Statistics said Tuesday the unemployment rate in the three months to June stayed at 3.9%, against economist expectations for a rise to 4.2%. The ONS said that the flat jobless rate reflected fewer people looking for work.
Employment during the quarter fell by 220,000.
Average actual weekly hours fell by a record 5.6 hours on the quarter to a record low of 25.8 hours.
Pay continued to fall, with average weekly earnings in the three months to June falling 1.2% year-over-year, which is more than the 1.1% decline seen by economists.
The British pound GBPUSD, -0.06% fell to $1.3073 from $1.3085 ahead of the release.
