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Unemployment across UK shows slight fall | Unemployment across UK shows slight fall |
(32 minutes later) | |
Unemployment fell by 27,000 in the three months to February to 1.34 million, official Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show. | Unemployment fell by 27,000 in the three months to February to 1.34 million, official Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show. |
The number of people in work was also virtually unchanged at a record high of 32.7 million, with a jump of 179,000. | The number of people in work was also virtually unchanged at a record high of 32.7 million, with a jump of 179,000. |
The figure has increased by 457,000 over the past year, all among full-time employees and the self-employed. | The figure has increased by 457,000 over the past year, all among full-time employees and the self-employed. |
Average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, had an estimated rise of 3.4%, before adjusting for inflation. | Average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, had an estimated rise of 3.4%, before adjusting for inflation. |
When adjusted for inflation, pay, including bonuses, increased by 1.5% on the year, the highest figure since the summer of 2016. | When adjusted for inflation, pay, including bonuses, increased by 1.5% on the year, the highest figure since the summer of 2016. |
The UK's unemployment rate of 3.9% is now lower than at any time since the end of 1975. | The UK's unemployment rate of 3.9% is now lower than at any time since the end of 1975. |
ONS deputy head of labour market statistics Matt Hughes said: "The jobs market remains robust, with the number of people in work continuing to grow. | ONS deputy head of labour market statistics Matt Hughes said: "The jobs market remains robust, with the number of people in work continuing to grow. |
"The increase over the past year is all coming from full-timers, both employees and the self-employed. | "The increase over the past year is all coming from full-timers, both employees and the self-employed. |
"Earnings have now been growing ahead of inflation for over a year, but in real terms, wage levels have not yet returned to their pre-downturn peak." | "Earnings have now been growing ahead of inflation for over a year, but in real terms, wage levels have not yet returned to their pre-downturn peak." |
Employment Minister Alok Sharma said: "The UK jobs market continues to go from strength to strength, proving the underlying resilience of the British economy. | |
"But we must not take this for granted. We need to work urgently to get behind a Brexit deal that protects this jobs record and gives employers the certainty to continue to invest in their workforce and boost wages." | |
The number of economically inactive people fell by 114,000 in the latest quarter to 8.53 million, a rate of just under 21%, the joint lowest on record. | |
The number of vacancies was almost unchanged at 852,000. |