Investing.com - Unemployment in the UK remained steady while wage growth picked up in the three months to April, according to a report released by the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday.
The number of people in employment in the UK rose by 197,000 in the three months to April compared to forecasts for an increase of 129,000.
The claimant count, which measures the change in the number of people claiming unemployment benefits rose to 31,200 over the period from 15,700 previously.
The unemployment rate remained unchanged at a 42-year low of 4.2%, in line with forecasts.
Average earnings, excluding bonuses, rose by an annual 2.9% in the three months to March, from 2.8% previously.
That was higher than inflation which fell to 2.5% in March.
However, average earnings, including bonuses slowed to 2.6% from 2.8% previously.