For August 2015 there were 791,700 people claiming unemployment related benefits. The number of people claiming unemployment related benefits is up slightly (1,200) from July 2015, but down 183,100 from a year earlier and 13,300 higher than the pre-downturn trough of 778,400 for February 2008. Analysts were anticipating decline by 5,000.
The unemployment rate was 5.5%, unchanged compared with February to April 2015 but lower than for a year earlier (6.2%). This was in line with market forecasts. Comparing May to July 2015 with a year earlier, both total pay (including bonuses) and regular pay (excluding bonuses) for employees in Great Britain increased by 2.9%.
After the data Sterling was pushed higher and is currently being traded few points above 1.54 handle. Pair is likely to find support around 1.5350 area and resistance above 1.5450 level. Later today, in the US session, CPI figures are scheduled for a release.