This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7350042.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UK unemployment falls by 39,000 UK unemployment falls by 39,000
(about 1 hour later)
UK unemployment fell by 39,000 to 1.61m in the three months to the end of February, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).UK unemployment fell by 39,000 to 1.61m in the three months to the end of February, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance in March fell by 1,200 people to 794,300, the fewest claiming such benefits since 1975.The number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance in March fell by 1,200 people to 794,300, the fewest claiming such benefits since 1975.
Average earnings increased by 3.7% in the year to February. Average earnings grew 3.7% in the year to February.
The jobless rate is a key measure of how the economy is weathering the problems in the credit markets.The jobless rate is a key measure of how the economy is weathering the problems in the credit markets.
The manufacturing sector was the hardest hit, with 27,000 jobs lost in the three months to February, taking employment in the sector to the lowest since records began in 1978.The manufacturing sector was the hardest hit, with 27,000 jobs lost in the three months to February, taking employment in the sector to the lowest since records began in 1978.
The ONS also said the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance in February rose by 600, instead of a previously reported fall of 2,800.The ONS also said the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance in February rose by 600, instead of a previously reported fall of 2,800.
This marks the first rise since September 2006.This marks the first rise since September 2006.
Cautious outlook
Elsewhere, there was more cause for optimism as the quarter saw the fewest redundancies since 1995 and the number of job vacancies rose strongly.Elsewhere, there was more cause for optimism as the quarter saw the fewest redundancies since 1995 and the number of job vacancies rose strongly.
Analysts greeted the figures cautiously. The number of economically inactive people of working age decreased by 36,000 over the quarter to reach 7.87 million.
The figures also showed that wage growth was virtually static despite the rising cost of petrol, food and mortgage repayment rates.
Analysts greeted the data cautiously.
"Overall, the labour market remains in fairly good health – but the unambiguous robustness seen just a few months ago is starting to fade," said Vicky Redwood, an economist at Capital Economics."Overall, the labour market remains in fairly good health – but the unambiguous robustness seen just a few months ago is starting to fade," said Vicky Redwood, an economist at Capital Economics.