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| UK jobless rise continues to slow | UK jobless rise continues to slow |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The number of people unemployed in the UK rose by 21,000 between August and October to 2.49 million. | The number of people unemployed in the UK rose by 21,000 between August and October to 2.49 million. |
| The increase was the smallest rise in the jobless total since the March-to-May period in 2008, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures showed. | The increase was the smallest rise in the jobless total since the March-to-May period in 2008, Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures showed. |
| The unemployment rate is currently 7.9%, according to the ONS figures. | The unemployment rate is currently 7.9%, according to the ONS figures. |
| However, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit fell by 6,300 in November to 1.63 million, the first fall since February 2008. | However, the number of people claiming unemployment benefit fell by 6,300 in November to 1.63 million, the first fall since February 2008. |
| 'Sad milestone' | 'Sad milestone' |
| According to the ONS figures, the number of 16-to-24 year olds who are unemployed rose to 952,000, the highest figure since records began in 1992. | According to the ONS figures, the number of 16-to-24 year olds who are unemployed rose to 952,000, the highest figure since records began in 1992. |
| The number of out of work 18-to-24 year olds increased by 26,000, but this figure was offset by a fall in the number of jobless 16 and 17 year olds of 20,000. | The number of out of work 18-to-24 year olds increased by 26,000, but this figure was offset by a fall in the number of jobless 16 and 17 year olds of 20,000. |
| The government said the problem of rising unemployment was far from over. | |
| "It is still tough for a lot of people and we still expect unemployment to increase again in the New Year. So we are determined to do more, supporting a total of 400,000 extra youth opportunities over the next 18 months," said Yvette Cooper, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. | |
| These figures will bolster hopes that the recession has ended in the fourth quarter of 2009 Colin Ellis, Daiwa Securities. | |
| But the Liberal Democrat work and pensions secretary, Steve Webb, said the figures showed the government was failing to solve the problem of youth unemployment. | |
| "This is another sad milestone for young people. The government's headline-grabbing announcements haven't even scratched the surface of the problems young people are facing in this recession." | "This is another sad milestone for young people. The government's headline-grabbing announcements haven't even scratched the surface of the problems young people are facing in this recession." |
| The number of people unemployed for more than a year increased by 49,000 in the latest quarter to 620,000, the highest since 1997. | The number of people unemployed for more than a year increased by 49,000 in the latest quarter to 620,000, the highest since 1997. |
| 'Encouraging figure' | 'Encouraging figure' |
| However, the figures also showed that the total number of people in employment rose by 53,000 over the period. | However, the figures also showed that the total number of people in employment rose by 53,000 over the period. |
| The figures could indicate a general improvement in the job market, according to analysts, | The figures could indicate a general improvement in the job market, according to analysts, |
| "It's a very encouraging figure, not just the unexpected fall in claimant count unemployment, but the fact that the ILO figures show that employment rose," said Howard Archer from Global Insight. | "It's a very encouraging figure, not just the unexpected fall in claimant count unemployment, but the fact that the ILO figures show that employment rose," said Howard Archer from Global Insight. |
| "It's noticeable that the rise in employment was due to an increase in part-time jobs outweighing full-time employment, " he continued. | "It's noticeable that the rise in employment was due to an increase in part-time jobs outweighing full-time employment, " he continued. |
| The number of people who say they are working part-time because they cannot find a full time position rose by 34,000 in the quarter and now stands at over 1 million. | The number of people who say they are working part-time because they cannot find a full time position rose by 34,000 in the quarter and now stands at over 1 million. |
| Other analysts say that the slowdown in the increase in unemployment could point to an improvement in the wider economy. | Other analysts say that the slowdown in the increase in unemployment could point to an improvement in the wider economy. |
| "These figures will bolster hopes that the recession has ended in the fourth quarter of 2009 with unemployment proving to be more of a contemporaneous indicator than a lagging one during this recession," said Colin Ellis, an economist with Daiwa Securities. | "These figures will bolster hopes that the recession has ended in the fourth quarter of 2009 with unemployment proving to be more of a contemporaneous indicator than a lagging one during this recession," said Colin Ellis, an economist with Daiwa Securities. |