The unemployment rate in the United Kingdom rose to 3.9% in the first quarter, compared to 3.8% in the previous three months, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported in a statement on Tuesday.
The official body revealed that this increase in the unemployment rate between January and March 2023 compared to the previous quarter was driven by an increase in sick workers.
The employment rate in the country increased to 75.9% – against the previous 75.8% – the ONS said, adding that the economic inactivity rate in the country was 21.9%.
Job offers decreased by 55,000 to 1.08 million during the period. Darren Morgan, the agency’s director of economic statistics, said employment and unemployment rose again in the first three months of 2023.
“This means that the number of people not working and not looking for work continues to decline, even though the number of people not working due to prolonged illness has risen again,” he said.
“Despite continued wage growth, people’s median earnings are being outpaced by rising prices. The number of days lost to strikes rose again in March,” Morgan said.
Source: TSF
