<div id="readability-page-1">Pay growth steady: Regular UK wages grew 3.4% in early 2026, aligning with economist predictions despite a softer labor market. Jobless rate climbs: Unemployment rose to 5% in March, up from 4.9% in February and 0.5 percentage points higher than a year earlier. Inflation pressures persist: Energy price surges linked to the Iran war are adding to inflation concerns, influencing the Bank of England's policy stance.</div>

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<p>UK regular wages grew 3.4% in early 2026, meeting economist expectations, while unemployment rose to 5% in March from 4.9% in February. This marks a 0.5 percentage point increase year-on-year. Ongoing inflation concerns are exacerbated by rising energy prices linked to the Iran war, affecting the Bank of England's policy decisions.</p>

- Regular UK wages increased by 3.4% in early 2026, meeting economist expectations despite a weaker labor market.  
- The unemployment rate rose to 5% in March, up from 4.9% in February and higher than the previous year by 0.5 percentage points.  
- Inflation remains a concern due to rising energy prices linked to the Iran war, affecting the Bank of England's policy decisions.

UK wage growth steady as unemployment rises to 5%