UK Unemployment Rate Falls to 4.7%, Earnings Growth Rises Ahead of Budget
The latest figures show a dip in unemployment and an increase in wage growth, with eyes now on the upcoming fiscal announcement.
The United Kingdom's unemployment rate for individuals aged 16 and over was recorded at 4.7 percent for the period of June to August 2026, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This figure represents a decrease of 0.1 percentage points compared to both the previous year and the most recent quarter.
In addition to the falling unemployment rate, average regular earnings growth in the UK saw an increase. For the three months leading up to August, earnings growth rose to 3.7 percent. After accounting for Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation, real earnings growth was 0.8 percent higher over the same period.
These economic indicators emerge just over a week before Chancellor John Healey is scheduled to deliver the next Budget on October 28. The published ONS data provides a snapshot of the UK's labor market conditions, with unemployment figures and earnings growth rates being key metrics closely watched by policymakers and the public.
