Unemployment falls to six-year low
THE number of people out of work in the UK fell by 58,000 to 1.91 million, its lowest level for more than six years, in the three months to November, official figures indicate.
The unemployment rate now stands at 5.8% of the adult working population, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
In the North West though the rate is higher at 6.5% and fell by just 4,000 or 0.1% to 229,000.
Employment minister and North West MP Esther McVey said: “With more people in work than ever before and a record number of vacancies in the economy, local businesses up and down the country are feeling more confident, taking on new staff, and giving people the security of a regular wage.”
In the September to November period, average earnings excluding bonuses were up 1.8% from a year earlier. Including bonuses, earnings rose by 1.7%.
It is the second consecutive month that both measures of earnings growth have been above the inflation rate.
Inflation, as measured by the consumer price index, stood at 1% in November and then fell to 0.5% in December as global oil prices tumbled further.
The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in December fell by 29,700 to 867,000, the 26th consecutive monthly reduction, said the ONS.
