Mubasher: The UK Labour Force Survey estimates indicated that the labour market continued to produce jobs, as the number of working people increased in the first quarter of this year.

The number of employed people across the UK rose 174,000 to a total of 32.697 million people in Q1-19, compared with Q4-18.

Compared with the prior year, the number rose by 354,000, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on Tuesday.

Overall UK unemployment rate ticked down to 3.8 % in the three months ended last March, compared with the previous period ended last December, with a 0.2% year-on-year decline.

“It has not been lower since October to December 1974,” the ONS said.

The average weekly earnings, both excluding and including bonuses, grew 3.3% and 3.2% in nominal terms, not adjusted for price inflation, compared to the same period last year.

In real terms, the average weekly earnings went up by 1.5% year-on-year, less bonuses and 1.3%, including bonuses.

By 8:32 am GMT, the GBP/USD pair fell 0.16% to $1.3091, while the EUR/GBP rose 0.33% at GBP 0.8688.