UK earnings growth picks up, jobless rate lowest since mid-2008

The pay of British workers picked up slightly more than expected in the first quarter, official data showed on Wednesday, while the unemployment rate fell to its lowest since mid-2008. The Bank of England, which is due to give its latest assessment on Britain's economy later on Wednesday, is keeping a close eye on labour costs as it considers when to start raising interest rates. The Office for National Statistics said total average weekly earnings in the three months to March, including bo