TABLE-UK claimant count up much less than expected

April 22 (Reuters) - The Office for National Statistics released the following provisional data for unemployment and average earnings. Data seasonally adjusted unless indicated:


AVERAGE EARNINGS (3mth yy figures except where stated)

FEB JAN (PREL JAN)
headline rate 0.1* 1.7 (1.8)
single mth yy -2.1** -0.4 (-0.2)
ex-bonus rate 3.2*** 3.5 (3.5)
single mth ex-bonus yy 2.9 3.4 (3.4)
Private Sector -0.5 1.2 (1.4)

PS ex-bonus 3.1 3.4 (3.4)

PS ex-bonus single month 2.8 3.3 (3.3)
Public Sector 3.7 4.0 (4.0)
Manufacturing 1.5 1.9 (1.9)
Services -0.1 1.8 (2.0)
Services (private sector) -1.1 1.1 (1.3)


NOTE - MARKET FORECASTS:
Average earnings +1.4 pct
Average earnings ex-bonus +3.4 pct
Claimant count +120,000
ILO unemployment rate 6.7 pct


CLAIMANT COUNT UNEMPLOYED MARCH FEB (PREL FEB)
Monthly change +73,700 +136,600 (138,400)
Rate 4.5**** 4.3 (4.3)
Unemployment level 1,464,100***** 1,390,400 (1,391,100)


ILO UNEMPLOYMENT DEC08-FEB09 SEP08-NOV08 DEC07-FEB08
Total (mlns) 2.100****** 1.923 1.614
Rate 6.7******* 6.1 5.2
Change on qtr (000s) +177******** n/a n/a


LFS TOTAL IN EMPLOYMENT
Total (mlns) 29.267 29.393 29.494
Rate (age 16-64) 73.8 74.2 74.9
Change on qtr (000s) -126 n/a n/a


VACANCIES MARCH FEB MARCH 08
Total 454,000 453,000 694,000


UNIT WAGE COSTS
Latest qtr yr/yr (Q4) 4.7
Manuf. only (3mths to Feb yy) 10.0


PRODUCTIVITY
Latest qtr yr/yr (Q ) -1.8
Manuf. only (3mths to Feb yy) -7.8



* Weakest 3mth yy avg earnings including bonuses growth since records began in 1991

** Lowest single month yy avg earnings inc. bonuses reading since records began in 1991

*** Weakest 3mth yy avg earnings excluding bonuses growth since records began in 2001

**** Highest claimant count rate since Feb 1998

***** Highest claimant count level since 0ct 1997

****** Highest ILO jobless total since 3 mths to Feb 1997

******* Highest ILO rate since 3 mths to Oct 1997

******** Biggest rise in ILO jobless since 3 mths to June 1991

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