Nondurable consumer goods registered the biggest monthly rise, of 0.5percentt, in both the euro zone and the European Union.
The number claiming unemployment benefit rose by 24,900 in July, compared with an average monthly rise of 93,400 in the first quarter.
Analysts had forecast smaller increases: a monthly rise of 0.1 percent in May and a 3.4 percent rise for the 12-month period.
Industrial production – which includes the North Sea, mining and energy sectors in addition to manufacturing – fared less well in January, posting a monthly rise of 0.3%.
Imports, on which Russians depend for half of their food, are up a bit; inflation in October rose by a mere 4.5% on the previous month, down from a monthly rise of 38% in September; the exchange rate, after its initial dive and subsequent wild swings, is now reasonably stable.
Prices showed a monthly rise of 0.1%.
King Pharmaceuticals posted a monthly rise of 31%, sparked by favorable second-quarter results.
The buy-to-let index, produced by LSL Property Services, shows average rents rose to £743 in August - a monthly rise of 0.7%.
For instance, the Land Registry's latest report says average house prices in England and Wales rose by 1% in January to £168,356, a monthly rise of 1%, but leaving prices just 4.2% higher than a year ago.
CAS points out that a quarter of all people in work are not paid monthly (rising to 49% of those earning under £10,000), meaning that many will have to survive the six week waiting period on just one or two week's pay.
