British unemployment rate in Q2 slightly up to 3.9%

LONDON -- The British unemployment rate was estimated at 3.9 percent in the second quarter (Q2) of 2019, slightly higher than the first quarter's 3.8 percent, figures released Tuesday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed.

Meanwhile, the employment rate was estimated at 76.1 percent from April to June, the joint-highest point since comparative records began in 1971. The rate for men and women were 80.1 and 72.1 percent respectively.

The UK's economic inactivity rate was estimated at 20.7 percent for Q2, with the rate for women hitting a record low of 25.1 percent.

The average regular pay across Britain in June, before tax and other deductions, was estimated at 505 pounds (about $610) per week in nominal terms, with 469 pounds per week in real terms.

"Employment continues to increase, with three quarters of this year's growth being due to more women working. However, the number of vacancies has been falling for six months, with fewer now than there were this time last year," said Matt Hughes, deputy head of the labour market statistics in ONS.