U.K. claimant count change rises less-than-expected

Forexpros - The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in the U.K. rose significantly less-than-expected in December, while the unemployment rate rose to the highest level since 1996, official data showed on Wednesday.In a report, the U.K. Office for National Statistics said that the claimant count rose by a seasonally adjusted 1,200 in December, significantly below expectations for an increase of 8,000.The previous month's figure was revised down to a modest gain of 200 from a previously reported increase of 3,000.The rate of unemployment rose unexpectedly to a 17-year high of 8.4% from 8.3% in November. According to the data, the total number of unemployed people stood at 2.68 million last month.The unemployment rate has not been higher since 1995 and the number of unemployed people has not been higher since 1994.The report also said that the average earnings index rose by a seasonally adjusted 1.9% in December, below expectations for a 2.05 gain, after rising by a revised 2.1% in the previous month. Following the release of the data, the pound remained higher against the U.S. dollar, with GBP/USD adding 0.15% to trade at 1.5356.Meanwhile, European stock markets held on to losses. The FTSE 100 fell 0.25%, the EURO STOXX 50 dropped 0.3%, France's CAC 40 slumped 0.3%, while Germany's DAX eased down 0.1%.
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