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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| UK unemployment sees slight fall | UK unemployment sees slight fall |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The number of people unemployed in the UK has fallen slightly, figures show. | The number of people unemployed in the UK has fallen slightly, figures show. |
| Total unemployment stood at 2.46 million for the three months to December, down 3,000 on the figure for the previous three months. | Total unemployment stood at 2.46 million for the three months to December, down 3,000 on the figure for the previous three months. |
| The rate of unemployment was unchanged at 7.8%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. | The rate of unemployment was unchanged at 7.8%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. |
| However, the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance rose by 23,500 to 1.64 million in January, the largest increase since July last year. | However, the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance rose by 23,500 to 1.64 million in January, the largest increase since July last year. |
| Analysts had expected the number of claimants to fall by about 10,000. | Analysts had expected the number of claimants to fall by about 10,000. |
| This is the second consecutive month the wider measure of unemployment has fallen. | This is the second consecutive month the wider measure of unemployment has fallen. |
| However the public sector, which has largely propped up the employment figures, is expected to suffer big cuts as the government begins the process of reducing the £178bn budget deficit after the election. | However the public sector, which has largely propped up the employment figures, is expected to suffer big cuts as the government begins the process of reducing the £178bn budget deficit after the election. |
| This could spark a second round of rising unemployment. | This could spark a second round of rising unemployment. |
| Temporary workers | Temporary workers |
| The ONS figures showed that the number of 16 to 24-year-olds out of work fell over the three-month period between October and December, down from 936,000 to 923,000 in the previous three months. | The ONS figures showed that the number of 16 to 24-year-olds out of work fell over the three-month period between October and December, down from 936,000 to 923,000 in the previous three months. |
| Meanwhile, the number of workers in temporary jobs climbed to 1.434 million, from 1.427 million in the previous three months. | Meanwhile, the number of workers in temporary jobs climbed to 1.434 million, from 1.427 million in the previous three months. |
| And the report said 34.6% of people working on a temporary basis had said they had failed to find permanent work. This figure was up from 32.8%. | And the report said 34.6% of people working on a temporary basis had said they had failed to find permanent work. This figure was up from 32.8%. |
| The percentage of people neither employed nor looking for work - who are not counted as unemployed by the ONS - rose to 21.3% of the population. | The percentage of people neither employed nor looking for work - who are not counted as unemployed by the ONS - rose to 21.3% of the population. |
| This group includes students, the long-term sick or disabled, the temporarily sick or injured and people who have retired early or are looking after their family and home. | This group includes students, the long-term sick or disabled, the temporarily sick or injured and people who have retired early or are looking after their family and home. |
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