Claimant Count Change was down 29,700 from November 2014,. Analysts were anticipating smaller decline by 24,900. It was also down 370,800 from a year earlier, but 89,300 higher than the pre-downturn trough of 778,400 for February 2008.
Unemployment rate fell to 5.8%, also beating market expectations on a decline to 5.9%. For September to November 2014, there were 1.91 million unemployed people. This was 58,000 fewer than for June to August 2014, the smallest quarterly fall since July to September 2013. Comparing September to November 2014 with a year earlier, there were 418,000 fewer unemployed people.
Average Earnings were in line market forecasts, up by 1.7%. The three month average growth rates for both total pay and regular pay have been increasing since May to July 2014. Between November 2013 and November 2014, the Consumer Prices Index increased by 1.0%.
Sterling is currently being traded around 1.5080 area, down due to BoE Meeting Minutes. Pair is likely to find support around 1.5030 area and resistance above 1.5150 level. Later today, in the US session,
Building Permits and
Housing Starts figures are scheduled for a release.