The UK unemployment rate unexpectedly fell to a new 43-year low in the three months to June as well as higher productivity, but wage growth slowed to a 9-month low.
The data showed the largest annual decline in the number of EU workers in Britain since 1997. The figures showed the strength of the labor market in the UK but failed to translate into strong wage growth.
Unemployment fell to 4%, its lowest level since 1975, while market expectations were 4.2%. Annual wage growth slowed to a 9-month low of 2.4% below expectations of a 2.5% rise in wages.
Excluding bonuses, wage growth stabilized at 2.7%, well below 4%, which prevailed before the financial crisis.
As Brexit approaches, EU nationals are quick to leave the UK workforce. In the second quarter there were 2.35 million EU citizens working in Britain, declined by about 86,000 compared to a year ago, down by 3.6% the lowest since records began.
