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Growth in UK unemployment slows | Growth in UK unemployment slows |
(20 minutes later) | |
The latest official UK unemployment figure has risen once again, but the rate of increase has slowed. | The latest official UK unemployment figure has risen once again, but the rate of increase has slowed. |
Unemployment increased 88,000 to 2.47 million in the three months to August, from the three months to May. The jobless rate rose to 7.9% from 7.6%. | Unemployment increased 88,000 to 2.47 million in the three months to August, from the three months to May. The jobless rate rose to 7.9% from 7.6%. |
The rise in the number of unemployed was the lowest since July 2008, said the Office for National Statistics. | The rise in the number of unemployed was the lowest since July 2008, said the Office for National Statistics. |
The number of people claiming unemployment benefit grew in September by 20,800 to 1.63 million. | The number of people claiming unemployment benefit grew in September by 20,800 to 1.63 million. |
While the number of people claiming the benefit is now the highest since 1997, the rise compared with the previous month was the least since May 2008. | While the number of people claiming the benefit is now the highest since 1997, the rise compared with the previous month was the least since May 2008. |
'Fragile recovery' | 'Fragile recovery' |
Other key points from the latest official figures revealed that: | |
Government ministers are now expecting an unexpected windfall of several billion pounds BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson Nick Robinson: 'Windfall' Who are the people out of work? How to cope with unemployment? | |
• The number of young unemployed people - those aged between 16 and 24 - continued to rise, totalling 946,000 in the three months to August. This compares with 927,000 for the three months to July | |
• Men remain the most affected by unemployment, with the number of males without work rising by 76,000 to 1.53 million in the three months to August | |
• The number of women unemployed totalled 935,000, up 12,000 | |
• There has been a sharp increase in the amount of women working part-time, up 79,000 for the three months ending in August 2009 to a total figure of 5,732,000. Nearly 10% of these women say they are working part-time because they can't find a full-time job | |
• Average earnings excluding bonuses rose by just 1.9% in the three months to August from a year earlier, the lowest figure on record. | |
'Fragile recovery' | |
"Although unemployment isn't as high today as many feared it would be at the time of the Budget, it remains a serious problem, which is why we must keep increasing support and advice to get people back into jobs," said Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper. | "Although unemployment isn't as high today as many feared it would be at the time of the Budget, it remains a serious problem, which is why we must keep increasing support and advice to get people back into jobs," said Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper. |
Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union said the latest figures showed "some tentative signs of a very fragile recovery in the economy". | Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union said the latest figures showed "some tentative signs of a very fragile recovery in the economy". |
Investec chief economist Philip Shaw said the numbers were "more encouraging than we had hoped". | Investec chief economist Philip Shaw said the numbers were "more encouraging than we had hoped". |
"It does suggest that the pace of deterioration in the jobs market is easing quite sharply which is encouraging for the outlook for a sustainable recovery," he said. | "It does suggest that the pace of deterioration in the jobs market is easing quite sharply which is encouraging for the outlook for a sustainable recovery," he said. |
The latest unemployment data comes a week before the Office for National Statistics (ONS) releases its first estimate for how the UK economy performed between July and September. | The latest unemployment data comes a week before the Office for National Statistics (ONS) releases its first estimate for how the UK economy performed between July and September. |
Despite some signs of economic improvement, analysts remain unsure as to whether the economy will post growth and therefore exit recession. | Despite some signs of economic improvement, analysts remain unsure as to whether the economy will post growth and therefore exit recession. |
If the economy contracts again, it will be the first time that the UK has endured six successive quarters without economic expansion. | If the economy contracts again, it will be the first time that the UK has endured six successive quarters without economic expansion. |
Are you out of work? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send your experiences using the form below. | Are you out of work? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send your experiences using the form below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |