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 December to February quarter, in line with expectations.

The claimant count rose by 6,700 people in March, missing expectations for a fall by 11,300, after a decrease of 9,300 people in February. February's figure was revised down from a 18,000 decrease.

U.K. unemployment in the November to January period increased by 21,000 to 1.7 million from the previous quarter. It was the first rise since the May-July quarter of 2015.

The employment rate remained unchanged at 74.1% in the December to February quarter. It was the highest reading since 1971.

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

Average weekly earnings, including bonuses, rose by 1.8% in the December to February quarter, in missing expectations for a 2.3% gain, after a 2.1% increase in the November to January quarter.

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