26 October 2026
UK unemployment improves ahead of the budget
The unemployment rate for the three months to August fell to 4.7%, from 4.9%, welcome news ahead of the budget. NIESR see the fall as being due to stronger employment which rose from 75.1% to 75.3%. However, job vacancies fell in the three months to September, suggesting a ‘low-hire, low-fire’ jobs market.
Pay growth increased slightly to 3.7% in the three months to August. Public sector pay was 6.3% while the private sector saw rises of only 3.0%. Public sector pay is estimated to fall to 4.6% in the fourth quarter. These increases mean real pay grew by 0.6%.
The inflation tracker showed CPI inflation rising from 3.1% in August to 3.5% in September. The main driver of the rise was transport, with an inflation rate of 6.6% due to petrol and diesel prices.
The economy continues to grow slowly, growing by 0.1% in August, supported by manufacturing while services remained flat. NIESR estimate growth of 0.7% in the third quarter and 0.2% in the fourth.
Read the latest Wage Tracker, GDP Tracker and Inflation Tracker from NIESR.
Pay growth increased slightly to 3.7% in the three months to August. Public sector pay was 6.3% while the private sector saw rises of only 3.0%. Public sector pay is estimated to fall to 4.6% in the fourth quarter. These increases mean real pay grew by 0.6%.
The inflation tracker showed CPI inflation rising from 3.1% in August to 3.5% in September. The main driver of the rise was transport, with an inflation rate of 6.6% due to petrol and diesel prices.
The economy continues to grow slowly, growing by 0.1% in August, supported by manufacturing while services remained flat. NIESR estimate growth of 0.7% in the third quarter and 0.2% in the fourth.
Read the latest Wage Tracker, GDP Tracker and Inflation Tracker from NIESR.
0 Comments
Medr highlights importance of lifelong learning in Wales
Reflections on Medr's first y...
19 October 2026
Welsh Government’s Skills Audit and Summit shape future prioritie...
Skills Audit findings are helping...
19 October 2026