UK May three-month average YoY growth in regular pay excluding bonuses 3.4% (exp. 3.4%; prev. 3.4%).

KPMG’s UK chief economist Yael Selfin said regular pay excluding bonuses rose 3.4% YoY in the three months to May, with little evidence recent energy-price increases have been passed into pay settlements. Weak hiring is weighing on workers’ bargaining power and private-sector wage growth remains below the level consistent with the Bank of England’s 2% inflation target. Selfin expects the BoE to keep rates unchanged at next week’s meeting and says energy-market developments will likely play a larger role in shaping the rate outlook over coming months.

Security sources said a drone carrying explosives was shot down at Harir Air Base east of Erbil, Iraq.