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| UK unemployment falls to 2.53 million | UK unemployment falls to 2.53 million |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The number of people out of work fell by 50,000 to 2.53 million in the three months to August, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). | The number of people out of work fell by 50,000 to 2.53 million in the three months to August, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). |
| Employment reached a record high of almost 30 million, while the unemployment rate fell to 7.9%. | Employment reached a record high of almost 30 million, while the unemployment rate fell to 7.9%. |
| The ONS also said the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance fell by 4,000 to 1.57 million in September. | The ONS also said the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance fell by 4,000 to 1.57 million in September. |
| The UK has been in recession, but many economists expect third-quarter figures to show a return to growth. | The UK has been in recession, but many economists expect third-quarter figures to show a return to growth. |
| The number of people in employment has not been higher since records began in 1971. According to the ONS, employment measures the number of people in paid work and differs from the number of jobs, because some people have more than one job. | The number of people in employment has not been higher since records began in 1971. According to the ONS, employment measures the number of people in paid work and differs from the number of jobs, because some people have more than one job. |
| The employment rate for those aged from 16 to 64 for the three months to August was 71.3% - which is the highest since April 2009. But the percentage of those in employment is still lower than the peak of 73%, which was recorded between March to May 2008 before the peak of the financial crisis and ensuing recession. | |
| The BBC's economics editor, Stephanie Flanders, points out that there are also more people in the UK than ever before. | |
| "It's a real landmark to see more people in work than ever before," Employment Minister Mark Hoban said. | "It's a real landmark to see more people in work than ever before," Employment Minister Mark Hoban said. |
| "Despite the tough economic times, the private sector continues to create jobs and our welfare reforms are encouraging people to return to work - with 170,000 fewer people on the main out-of-work benefits than in May 2010." | "Despite the tough economic times, the private sector continues to create jobs and our welfare reforms are encouraging people to return to work - with 170,000 fewer people on the main out-of-work benefits than in May 2010." |
| The government also noted that there were more job opportunities available, with the number of unfilled vacancies at 476,000, up 3,000 on the quarter and 17,000 from the same period last year. | The government also noted that there were more job opportunities available, with the number of unfilled vacancies at 476,000, up 3,000 on the quarter and 17,000 from the same period last year. |
| The government also extended its New Enterprise Allowance, which it says will help 33,000 more jobseekers benefit from advice from a mentor to draw up a business plan. | The government also extended its New Enterprise Allowance, which it says will help 33,000 more jobseekers benefit from advice from a mentor to draw up a business plan. |
| The number of unemployed people aged from 16 to 24 fell by 62,000 for the three months to 957,000 - down from the previous period, which was March to May. | The number of unemployed people aged from 16 to 24 fell by 62,000 for the three months to 957,000 - down from the previous period, which was March to May. |
| This includes the 298,000 unemployed young people in full-time education. | This includes the 298,000 unemployed young people in full-time education. |
| In Scotland, unemployment increased for the second time in a row, rising by 7,000, while in Wales, the number of jobless fell by 7,000 between June and August. The number of people in work in Wales rose by 40,000 to 1.37 million. | |
| Average earnings increased by 1.7% in the year to July, which was a small increase from the previous month. | Average earnings increased by 1.7% in the year to July, which was a small increase from the previous month. |
| The unemployment rate dropped from 8.1% in the previous three-month period. | The unemployment rate dropped from 8.1% in the previous three-month period. |
| Have you found employment in the last few months? Or are you still looking for work? Send us your experiences using the form below. |