Unemployment is hitting the UK hard.

It’s unexpectedly risen to its highest level for two and a half years, climbing to 4.4% in the three months to April.

On the other hand, wage growth has remained strong and is outstripping inflation, having increased at an annual rate of 2.9%.

UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking the other striking figure is the inactivity rate, which is the number of people of working age who are not actively looking for work.

He said that it’s standing at one in five, the highest level in nearly a decade.

LISTEN ABOVE

Unemployment is hitting the UK hard. 
It’s unexpectedly risen to its highest level for two and a half years, climbing to 4.4% in the three months to April. 
On the other hand, wage growth has remained strong and is outstripping inflation, having increased at an annual rate of 2.9%. 
UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking the other striking figure is the inactivity rate, which is the number of people of working age who are not actively looking for work. 
He said that it’s standing at one in five, the highest level in nearly a decade. 
LISTEN ABOVE

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Gavin Grey: UK Correspondent on the rise in the unemployment and inactivity rates in the UK

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/8b8cf880-3186-464b-8a09-b18c017930a2/transcript