P.M. BRIEFING : British Wages, Joblessness Up
Average earnings of British workers rose 10% in the year ending in June despite government appeals to employers to hold down wage costs to fight high inflation, official figures showed today.
In another blow to the Conservative government, which is trailing the opposition Labor Party in opinion polls, unemployment increased by a seasonally adjusted 10,900 in July to 1.63 million or 5.7% of the work force.
It was the fourth consecutive month for lengthened unemployment lines in Britain.
Both earnings, up from 9.75% in May, and the increase in unemployment were above market expectations.
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