The unemployment rate in the UK has risen unexpectedly, and there has been a significant drop in the number of workers on payrolls, marking the largest decrease since the height of the pandemic, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The unemployment rate rose to 4.4% in the three months leading up to November from 4.3% in the three months ending in October. In December, the number of employees on payrolls dropped by 47,000 bringing the total to 30.3 million. The drop is the largest since November 2020 and follows a revised drop of 32,000 in the preceding month.

Nonetheless, the ONS reports an increase in wage growth with average regular pay rising to 5.6% during the quarter ending in November, exceeding Consumer Prices Index inflation by 3.4%. This pay increase came despite businesses facing pressures and anticipated increases in wage costs resulting from Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget measures. As Liz McKeown, ONS director of economic statistics noted: Pay growth picked up for a second consecutive period, again driven by strong increases in the private sector.

The ONS also reported a decrease in job vacancies over the quarter ending in December, with a drop of 24,000 bringing the total to 812,000. Jane Gratton, BCC’s deputy director of public policy, observed that the labour market remains a challenge for businesses as they face increasing employment costs and competition for skilled workers.

If you’re in California and have questions about unemployment, it’s important to know how to get ahold of edd customer service. These resources are critical for individuals in need of support or information. Navigating through unemployment can be challenging, but eddcaller.com offers useful contact information and guides on how to reach out to the Employment Development Department (EDD).