By William L. Watts, MarketWatch
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- The number of British workers claiming government jobless benefits declined for the fifth consecutive month in June.
The Office for National Statistics said claims fell by 20,800 to 1.46 million, the lowest level in 15 months. The figure was largely in line with economists' expectations for a 21,000 decline.
The ONS said 4.5% of the workforce was claiming benefits, down from 4.6% in May.
The unemployment rate in the three months ending in May declined to 7.8% from 7.9% in the previous three-month period. The number of unemployed declined over the quarter by 34,000, to 2.47 million.
Average earnings, excluding bonuses, rose by an annual 1.8% in the three months ending in May, down from 1.9% in the previous three months and below forecasts for a 2% rise.
The British pound (CUR_GBPUSD 1.5244, +0.0063, +0.4150%) extended a gain versus the dollar after the data and changed hands in recent action at $1.5251, its highest level since early May. The euro fell 0.5% against the pound to trade at 83.38 pence.
