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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| UK unemployment jumps to 7.2% | UK unemployment jumps to 7.2% |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Britain's unemployment rate unexpectedly climbed to 7.2 per cent in the fourth quarter bolstering the Bank of England's pledge to keep rates on hold. | Britain's unemployment rate unexpectedly climbed to 7.2 per cent in the fourth quarter bolstering the Bank of England's pledge to keep rates on hold. |
| However, the number of people out of work fell by 125,000 to 2.34 million in the three months to December, the Office for National Statistics said. | However, the number of people out of work fell by 125,000 to 2.34 million in the three months to December, the Office for National Statistics said. |
| Economists had expected unemployment to stay unchanged at 7.1 per cent. Overall employment now stands at more than 30 million. | |
| The ONS also said the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance fell by 27,600 to 1.22 million in January- the 15th consecutive drop. | |
| Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "It's good to see another fall in unemployment. Our Long Term Economic Plan means more people with the security of a wage and a chance in life." | Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "It's good to see another fall in unemployment. Our Long Term Economic Plan means more people with the security of a wage and a chance in life." |
| Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: "Quarter by quarter, job by job, we are rebuilding Britain's economy. Every job created is a family helped and a boost to our economic growth." | |
| The number of people in part-time jobs fell by 29,000 to 1.4 million but still 46,000 higher than a year ago. More women are working than at any time since records began in 1971 with more than 14 million in employment. | |
| TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "These are encouraging figures for the millions of people desperate for work. It is good news that unemployment levels continue to fall, and that young people are finally beginning to share in the improving jobs market. | TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "These are encouraging figures for the millions of people desperate for work. It is good news that unemployment levels continue to fall, and that young people are finally beginning to share in the improving jobs market. |
| "But people already in work have less to cheer about, with prices still rising twice as fast as wages. While we have a record proportion of women in employment, the widening gender pay gap means many women are not getting the fair pay they deserve." | "But people already in work have less to cheer about, with prices still rising twice as fast as wages. While we have a record proportion of women in employment, the widening gender pay gap means many women are not getting the fair pay they deserve." |
| Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, said the total fall in unemployment masked "the scourge under-employment" across the UK. | |
| He added: "Too many people are stuck in minimum-wage jobs, on zero-hours contracts and part-time work when they are desperate to go full-time." | |
| Average weekly earnings increased 1.1 per cent in the year to December, but that is below the annual inflation rate of 1.9 per cent in January. | |
| Job vacancies were up by 28,000 to 580,000, the highest since 2008, signalling demand for staff has kept a positive momentum. | |
| The figures come a week after the Bank was forced to overhaul its forward guidance policy after six months, dropping the 7 per cent unemployment target for a vaguer output gap rate rise trigger. | The figures come a week after the Bank was forced to overhaul its forward guidance policy after six months, dropping the 7 per cent unemployment target for a vaguer output gap rate rise trigger. |