UK payrolled employment down -1k in Aug, median monthly pay growth slowed

In August, UK saw a minimal decline in payrolled employment by -1,000 (-0.0% mom) bringing the total to 30.1 million. In a positive revision, prior month’s figures were adjusted from a -4k decrease to a substantial increase of 97k. Despite this, there is no dismissing the slowed momentum in the job market as reflected in the slight decline in August.

Dive deeper into the earnings, and one notices a yoy rise of 6.7% for the median monthly pay, touching GBP 2,260. The service activities sector led this growth, clocking an 8.7% yoy rise, while the finance and insurance sector recorded the lowest at 3.2% yoy. However, there was a perceptible deceleration in the growth rate of median monthly pay, down from July’s 7.6% yoy and notably from June’s 9.6% yoy, with the latter month having a peak of GBP 2,305.

Turning to median monthly pay, service activities sector spearheaded growth, showcasing an 8.7% yoy increase, attaining the highest growth rate across sectors. Contrastingly, finance and insurance sector lagged, recording the lowest annual growth rate at 3.2% yoy. Overall, median monthly pay elevated by 6.7% yoy to GBP 2,260. However, there was a perceptible deceleration in growth rate of median monthly pay, down from July’s 7.6% yoy and notably from June’s 9.6% yoy, with the latter month having a peak of GBP 2,305.

The three months leading to July painted a similar picture of mixed outcomes. Unemployment settled at 4.3%, rising by 0.5% from the previous quarter, in line with market anticipations. Meanwhile, employment rate dropped by 0.5% to 75.5% alongside a modest increase in economic inactivity rate to 21.1%, up by 0.1%.

Total weekly hours dropped -18.5% over the three-month period. Average earnings excluding bonus was unchanged at 7.8% 3moy, matched expectations. Average earnings including bonus rose to 8.5% 3moy, above expectations of 8.2%.

Full UK labor market release here.