Pound boosted by strong jobs data

(Close): The pound strengthened against other currencies following the release of strong UK jobs figures.

The unemployment rate and total both fell to seven-month lows, official figures showed, while the employment rate hit a record high.

There were some signs wage growth had eased, but sterling rose more than 2 cents against the dollar to $1.5442 and rose 0.67% against the euro to €1.3490.

The benchmark FTSE 100 index was down 1.15% at 6269.61.

Shares in housebuilders came under pressure, with Taylor Wimpey down 3.42% and Barratt Developments down 3.79%.

Mining shares reversed earlier losses, which had been triggered by concerns over the strength of China's economy following the release of weaker-than-expected inflation data.

After falling more than 3% in early trade, shares in Glencore closed up 1.65%.

Hargreaves Lansdown shares rose 3.66% after the fund supermarket said it had recorded record inflows of new business.

The firm said new business inflows during the three months to the end of September jumped 47% from a year ago to £1.43bn. However, the total level of assets under its management fell by £500m to £54.7bn.

In the FTSE 250, shares in Domino's Pizza jumped 12.58% after it reported strong quarterly sales and said its full-year results were set to be above expectations.