The U.K. unemployment rate fell unexpectedly in the October to December period, data from the Office for National Statistics showed Wednesday.
The jobless rate fell to 5.7 percent during the October to December period from 5.8 percent in the September to November period. Economists had forecast the rate to remain at 5.8 percent.
During October to December, there were 1.862 million unemployed people compared with the 1.914 million people in the September to November period.
In the same period of the previous year, there were 2.348 million unemployed people.
The claimant count rate fell to 2.5 percent in January as expected, from 2.6 percent in December. Confirming the economists' estimate.
The number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance decreased by 38,600 from December, while economists expected a decline of 25,000.
From a year earlier, the claimant count fell by 383,500.
Average earnings rose 2.1 percent annually after the 1.8 percent increase in November, more than the 1.7 percent consensus estimate.
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April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.