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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| UK unemployment total sees slight fall | UK unemployment total sees slight fall |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The number of people unemployed in the UK fell by 9,000 in the three months to September, leaving total unemployment almost unchanged at 2.45 million. | The number of people unemployed in the UK fell by 9,000 in the three months to September, leaving total unemployment almost unchanged at 2.45 million. |
| The overall unemployment rate was also unchanged at 7.7%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. | The overall unemployment rate was also unchanged at 7.7%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said. |
| The data showed that the claimant count - those out of work and receiving benefits - also fell slightly in October, by 3,700 to 1.47 million. | The data showed that the claimant count - those out of work and receiving benefits - also fell slightly in October, by 3,700 to 1.47 million. |
| This reversed a 5,300 rise in the claimant count the previous month. | This reversed a 5,300 rise in the claimant count the previous month. |
| The overall picture remains one of a jobs recovery that is much more sluggish than after previous recessions, analysts say. | The overall picture remains one of a jobs recovery that is much more sluggish than after previous recessions, analysts say. |
| Across the country the performance was mixed, with the Midlands, the South East, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North West all seeing unemployment rise. | Across the country the performance was mixed, with the Midlands, the South East, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North West all seeing unemployment rise. |
| Part-time jobs | Part-time jobs |
| Overall employment in the UK economy increased by 167,000 in the three months to September, compared with the previous quarter, reaching 29.19 million, according to the ONS's statistical bulletin. | Overall employment in the UK economy increased by 167,000 in the three months to September, compared with the previous quarter, reaching 29.19 million, according to the ONS's statistical bulletin. |
| This suggests that while some unemployed people are finding jobs, the total pool of unemployed workers is being replenished by inactive people who are choosing to re-enter the workforce by actively looking for work again. | This suggests that while some unemployed people are finding jobs, the total pool of unemployed workers is being replenished by inactive people who are choosing to re-enter the workforce by actively looking for work again. |
| However, most of the new jobs created were only part-time. | However, most of the new jobs created were only part-time. |
| Today's marks a grim milestone: unemployment amongst women has passed a million for the time since 1988. | |
| It's part of a disturbing trend which has seen female unemployment climb over the last two years by 35% to today's total of 1.02 million. | |
| By contrast joblessness amongst men has been falling this year, highlighting a disturbing gender divide. | |
| One explanation is that women are bearing the brunt of cuts in the public sector - they are heavily represented in the health service, education, and social work. | |
| And with the government spending review set to bite further, the outlook for female unemployment could soon get much worse. | |
| "Part-time workers now account for 27.3% of total employment, which is up from 25.4% at mid-2008," said Howard Archer, chief UK economist at IHS Global Insight. | "Part-time workers now account for 27.3% of total employment, which is up from 25.4% at mid-2008," said Howard Archer, chief UK economist at IHS Global Insight. |
| "This suggests that businesses are reluctant to take on full-time workers due to their concerns over the longer-term economic outlook." | "This suggests that businesses are reluctant to take on full-time workers due to their concerns over the longer-term economic outlook." |
| Gender gap | Gender gap |
| The figures also showed that the number of people unemployed for six months or more rose by 21,000 in the quarter to reach 1.18 million. | The figures also showed that the number of people unemployed for six months or more rose by 21,000 in the quarter to reach 1.18 million. |
| "Also significantly, job vacancies fell 27,000 in the three months to October," Mr Archer said. "The biggest fall was in education, suggesting that the public sector cuts are already biting there." | "Also significantly, job vacancies fell 27,000 in the three months to October," Mr Archer said. "The biggest fall was in education, suggesting that the public sector cuts are already biting there." |
| Another trend was growing gender inequality. The number of unemployed women rose by 31,000 in the quarter to reach 1.02 million - the highest level since 1988. | Another trend was growing gender inequality. The number of unemployed women rose by 31,000 in the quarter to reach 1.02 million - the highest level since 1988. |
| In contrast, the number of unemployed men fell 40,000 to 1.43 million. | In contrast, the number of unemployed men fell 40,000 to 1.43 million. |
| Meanwhile, the earnings picture is continuing to improve gradually. | Meanwhile, the earnings picture is continuing to improve gradually. |
| Average pay in the three months to September was up 2% on a year ago. This compares with the 1.7% rise previously reported for the three months to August, but remains below consumer prices inflation of 3.2%. | Average pay in the three months to September was up 2% on a year ago. This compares with the 1.7% rise previously reported for the three months to August, but remains below consumer prices inflation of 3.2%. |
| Uncertain outlook | Uncertain outlook |
| The report contained few surprises for City analysts, who are more concerned by the jobs outlook over the next six to 12 months as government spending cuts begin to bite. | The report contained few surprises for City analysts, who are more concerned by the jobs outlook over the next six to 12 months as government spending cuts begin to bite. |
| A report last month by accountants PwC predicted that cuts in public sector spending would have the knock-on effect of about 500,000 job losses in the private sector, on top of 490,000 public sector job cuts planned by the coalition government. | A report last month by accountants PwC predicted that cuts in public sector spending would have the knock-on effect of about 500,000 job losses in the private sector, on top of 490,000 public sector job cuts planned by the coalition government. |
| "The recent data has been good and today's labour figures are no exception," said James Knightley of ING, who noted that total employment is at its highest level since February 2009. | "The recent data has been good and today's labour figures are no exception," said James Knightley of ING, who noted that total employment is at its highest level since February 2009. |
| "[It] offers support to the view that public sector job losses can be more than offset by increases in private-sector employment." | "[It] offers support to the view that public sector job losses can be more than offset by increases in private-sector employment." |
| But he cautioned that government cutbacks, the failure of earnings to keep up with 3% inflation, limits on bank lending and moves by households to repay their debts could all combine to weaken the economy over the coming months. | But he cautioned that government cutbacks, the failure of earnings to keep up with 3% inflation, limits on bank lending and moves by households to repay their debts could all combine to weaken the economy over the coming months. |