Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

Unemployment is hitting the UK hard.  It’s unexpectedly risen to its highest level for two and a half years, climbing to 4.4% in the three months to April.  On the other hand, wage growth has remained strong and is outstripping inflation, having increased at an annual rate of 2.9%.  UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Mike Hosking the other striking figure is the inactivity rate, which is the number of people of working age who are not actively looking for work.  He said that it’s standing at one in five, the highest level in nearly a decade.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.