UK unemployment falls by 49,000
Unemployment falls to its lowest total for over a year, although there is an increase in the number of people claiming jobseeker’s allowance.
The jobless total dropped by 49,000 in the quarter to September to 2.51 million, the lowest figure since last summer.
But the so-called claimant count jumped by 10,100 last month to 1.58 million, the highest since July, and the biggest monthly rise since last September.
The number of people in work increased by 100,000 in the latest quarter to just under 30 million, a rise of over half a million over the past year.
Other figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that long-term unemployment – those out of work for over a year – increased by 12,000 in the quarter to September to 894,000, while 443,000 people have been jobless for over two years, up by 21,000.
Other trends
Part-time employment increased by 49,000 to 8.1 million, close to a record high, while there were 51,000 more people in full-time jobs, at 21.4 million.
Unemployment among women fell by 10,000 to 1.09 million, and by 39,000 among men to 1.43 million.
Unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds fell by 49,000, which accounts for the total fall in today’s jobless figures.
More young people are classed as economically inactive, most of whom were in full-time education.
Average earnings increased by 1.8 per cent in the year to August, up by 0.1 per cent on the previous month, giving average weekly pay of £471, including bonuses.