Official data released on Tuesday showed the rate was up from 4.7% in the previous quarter and above analysts’ expectations of 4.9%, according to AFP.
The figures were released just days before Finance Minister Rachel Reeves tabled her key Budget on November 26, which is expected to include tax increases amid weak economic growth.
Liz McCune, director of economic statistics at the ONS, said: “The number of salaried workers is falling and revised tax data has shown a decline for most of the past 12 months.”
The disappointing data was a further blow to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labor government, which is lagging far behind in opinion polls just 16 months after winning a general election.
“Today’s jobs report will not provide any reassurance ahead of the budget,” said Isaac Stell, an analyst at investment management firm Wealth Club.
“Not only has unemployment increased, but wage growth has continued to decline.”
Master’s degree/PR