Britain's employers plan to continue shedding jobs.

New Zealand's unemployment rate has climbed to its highest level since the so-called "winter of discontent" in 2000.

The unemployment rate rose to a nine-year high 6.5 per cent in the September quarter.

Consumer confidence is the highest it has been since December 2007, according to the monthly ANZ-Roy Morgan survey.

NZ's dole queue has shrunk for the first time this year, raising hopes that employment might pick up sooner than expected.