Sterling slips against dollar on weak pay data
Sterling has fallen against the dollar after data showed wages were continuing to lag behind inflation.
The pound fell 0.5% against the dollar to $1.3212, as traders bet against the chance of interest rate rise when policymakers meet on Thursday.
However, it rose 1% against the euro to 1.1110 euros.
Analysts said currency traders appeared cautious after the publication of latest unemployment and wages data.
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee will announce its decision on Thursday, with some economists having predicted that more policy makers could vote for a hike.
However, Ed Monk, of fund manager Fidelity International, said: "Lagging wages makes it more likely the Bank of England will look through rising inflation when it decides on interest rates.
"Prices are rising above target, which creates the case for raising rates, but today's wage data suggests all is still not right in the economy."
On the share markets, lender Provident Financial, which made a management change last month, was the main FTSE 100 gainer, rising 1.32%
Tesco fell 2.3% after broker Exane cut its rating on the stock to "underperform".
Outside the top flight, Dunelm was the biggest gainer among the FTSE 250 mid-caps. The retailer's shares jumped 8% despite posting a fall in profits and warning about "challenging" trading conditions.