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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.