The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released its labour market data on Wednesday. The U.K. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.1% in the November to January quarter, in line with expectations.

The claimant count slid by 18,000 people in February, beating expectations for a fall by 9,100, after a decrease of 28,400 people in January. January's figure was revised down from a 14,800 decrease.

U.K. unemployment in the November to January period dropped by 28,000 to 1.68 million from the previous quarter.

The employment rate was 74.1% in the November to January quarter. It was the highest reading since 1971.

Average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, climbed by 2.2% in the November to January quarter, after a 2.0% gain in the October to December quarter.

Average weekly earnings, including bonuses, rose by 2.1% in the November to January quarter, in exceeding expectations for a 2.0% gain, after a 1.9% increase in the October to December quarter.

The Bank of England monitors closely the wages growth it considers when to start hiking its interest rate.