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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| UK unemployment at six-year high | UK unemployment at six-year high |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Unemployment rose by 93,000 between May and July to 1.7 million, its highest level since 2000, figures have shown. | Unemployment rose by 93,000 between May and July to 1.7 million, its highest level since 2000, figures have shown. |
| Yet the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also said that the number of people claiming unemployment benefit fell in August by 3,900 to 950,100. | Yet the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also said that the number of people claiming unemployment benefit fell in August by 3,900 to 950,100. |
| The latest figures come a day after Tony Blair appeared to pre-empt their release, saying they should show a "very welcome" fall in unemployment. | The latest figures come a day after Tony Blair appeared to pre-empt their release, saying they should show a "very welcome" fall in unemployment. |
| The ONS said it was now investigating whether Mr Blair had broken protocol. | The ONS said it was now investigating whether Mr Blair had broken protocol. |
| Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats accused the prime minister of abusing his position and trailing official figures in advance of their release. | |
| "We have seen reports that the prime minister made remarks about the unemployment figures in advance of their publication," said the ONS. | |
| "The national statistician is looking into the circumstances and has been in contact with the Cabinet secretary. We will make a further statement shortly." | |
| 'Very welcome' | 'Very welcome' |
| Mr Blair made his comments on unemployment in a speech to delegates at the TUC conference on Tuesday. | Mr Blair made his comments on unemployment in a speech to delegates at the TUC conference on Tuesday. |
| He said that "tomorrow I think we will probably see - for the first time in some months - a fall again in unemployment, which is very, very welcome indeed". | He said that "tomorrow I think we will probably see - for the first time in some months - a fall again in unemployment, which is very, very welcome indeed". |
| The Tories accused Mr Blair of making an "irresponsible gaffe". | The Tories accused Mr Blair of making an "irresponsible gaffe". |
| "Important economic data should not be blurted out at meetings with trade unionists," said shadow chancellor George Osborne. | "Important economic data should not be blurted out at meetings with trade unionists," said shadow chancellor George Osborne. |
| "This proves why we need independent statistics that are not subject to ministerial spin. | "This proves why we need independent statistics that are not subject to ministerial spin. |
| "Last year Gordon Brown promised that would happen. But he has failed to deliver," Mr Osborne said. | "Last year Gordon Brown promised that would happen. But he has failed to deliver," Mr Osborne said. |
| Longer term | Longer term |
| Analysts said that the unemployment figures presented a mixed picture that was unlikely to stop the Bank of England raising interest rates again this year. | Analysts said that the unemployment figures presented a mixed picture that was unlikely to stop the Bank of England raising interest rates again this year. |
| The Bank is widely tipped to raise its borrowing costs by a quarter of a percentage point to 5% in November. | The Bank is widely tipped to raise its borrowing costs by a quarter of a percentage point to 5% in November. |
| They added that the unemployment figures may well improve in coming months should the economy continue to expand. | They added that the unemployment figures may well improve in coming months should the economy continue to expand. |