UK December labor market data-OVERVIEW and SNAPSHOTS High Street Networking

17 January 2001, 12:33 UK December labor market data-OVERVIEW and SNAPSHOTS

--UK Nov headline average earnings up annual 4.2% --UK adj Dec claimant count unemployment dn 2,600 from Nov --UK Nov headline avg earnings in line with mkt forecasts --UK Sep-Nov ILO unemployment 5.3%, flat vs. Jun-Aug 5.3% --UK Sep-Nov ILO unemployment up 11,000 on Jun-Aug --UK Sep-Nov LFS employment down 25,000 vs. Jun-Aug --ONS says UK "employment growth has leveled off" --UK Nov unadj earnings ex bonus 4.6 pct pts, bonuses 0.4 pct pts --UK Sep-Nov manufacturing unit labor costs up 0.8% on year --UK Nov single month avg earnings up provisional 4.4% on year --UK Nov private sector services earnings +4.5% on year --UK Dec claimant count unemployment unchanged vs. Nov 3.6% --UK Sep-Nov Labor Force Survey employment rate 74.5% --UK Sep-Nov employment fall first since Feb-Apr 1993 --ONS: UK Nov single-month earnings up on public, mfg sectors By BridgeNews London--Jan. 17--The relentless tightening in the U.K. labor market is beginning to show signs of slowing and possibly even unwinding, according to figures released Wednesday by the Office for National Statistics. Employment in the three months to the end of November fell on the preceding period, albeit marginally, for the first time since 1993. ILO unemployment rose in the same period. Headline average earnings growth rose an annual 4.2% in November, the same rate as in October and in line with expectations. * * * The single month rate of whole economy average earnings growth rose to 4.4% on the year from 4.1% on the year in October. The ONS said the main factors driving the latest rise were manufacturing overtime payments in the lead-up to Christmas and the timing effect of public sector pay awards. It noted that the latter effect could possibly reverse itself in the months ahead.