Sterling Slips as Rising UK Unemployment Keeps March BoE Cut in Play

The pound is on the back foot this morning after the latest UK labour market report showed unemployment climbing to 5.2%, nearly a full percentage point higher than a year ago. With hiring surveys still softening and wage growth continuing to cool, markets are increasingly confident that the Bank of England will deliver a rate cut in March.

For GBP/USD, that fundamental backdrop is beginning to align with the technical picture — and it’s not particularly flattering for sterling bulls.

Labour Market Softness Builds the Case for Easing

While job losses are still concentrated in consumer-facing industries like retail and hospitality, the broader trend remains one of gradual cooling. Payroll growth across the private sector is slipping on a three-month average, and wage growth has slowed to 3.4%, with expectations it could dip toward 3% by summer.

That’s significant. The Bank of England has previously suggested that pay growth below current levels would be consistent with its 2% inflation target. In other words, the pressure to keep policy tight is fading.

Markets now see a March rate cut as highly likely, with another move possible in June. Unless inflation data surprises materially to the upside, the path of least resistance for rates appears lower — and that caps upside potential in GBP.

GBP/USD Technical Outlook: Descending Channel in Focus

On the daily chart, GBP/USD is trading within a clearly defined descending channel that has guided price action since the late-January highs near 1.39.

Price recently rejected from the upper bound of that channel and is now drifting lower, respecting the downward sloping resistance. Momentum remains soft, and the structure suggests sellers remain in control while the pair stays within this formation.

Two levels stand out:

• Channel Lower Bound – The first technical target if downside momentum accelerates.
• 1.3400 Support Region – A key horizontal support zone (highlighted on the chart), which aligns closely with the lower edge of the descending channel.

If bearish pressure continues — particularly if US data remains firm while UK data weakens — a move toward 1.34 looks increasingly plausible.

However, a break above the channel’s upper boundary would be required to invalidate the near-term bearish structure. Until then, rallies may continue to find sellers.

Bottom Line

The macro story and the technical setup are telling a similar story: sterling is struggling to find a catalyst for sustained upside.

With unemployment rising, wage growth easing, and rate cuts approaching, GBP/USD risks a grind lower within its descending channel — with 1.34 emerging as the next meaningful downside level to watch.

For now, the trend remains your friend — and it’s pointing south.