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The figures from the Office for National Statistics provide further evidence that Brexit uncertainty is finally hitting the labor market, which has defied the wider economic troubles since the 2016 vote to leave the European Union and supported consumer spending.
The data, which also show wage growth unexpectedly slowing, add to the fierce debate over the economy as the campaign for the Dec. 12 vote intensifies. [...]
The Resolution Foundation, a research group, said in a report Tuesday that the big increase in employment since 2010 reflects households, particularly women, being forced to work more because of the unprecedented squeeze on incomes since the financial crisis.
Though wages are growing at 3.6%, double the rate of inflation, real earnings are no higher than they were before the crisis levels and pay growth could slow further if the economy weakens. [...]