Unemployment at lowest rate since 2008
17/09/2014
An official report from The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown that unemployment rates have fallen to 6.2% over the last three months, its lowest rate since 2008.
The number of unemployed people is now 2.02 million, which has fallen by 146,000 over the last three months. Those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in August fell below one million for the first time in six years, and the number of jobless 16-to-24 year olds fell by 106,000 to 747,000 over the last three months and by 213,000 over the year.
The report also showed pay including bonuses for employees in Great Britain was 0.6% higher than a year earlier, and pay excluding bonuses was 0.7% higher. The current rate of inflation is 1.5%, so wages are still lagging behind.
The ONS said “These were the largest quarterly and annual falls in youth unemployment since comparable records began in 1992".
Chancellor George Osborne today tweeted in response to the report “Today's employment stats mark another step towards full employment. But still much more to do."
When completing the survey the ONS speak to 66,000 households and are 95% confident in the figures they produce.
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