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UK jobless total in new increase UK jobless total in new increase
(about 1 hour later)
The number of people out of work in the UK rose another 177,000 to 2.1 million between December and February.The number of people out of work in the UK rose another 177,000 to 2.1 million between December and February.
The number of people claiming jobless benefits rose a smaller-than-expected 73,700 last month to 1.46 million.The number of people claiming jobless benefits rose a smaller-than-expected 73,700 last month to 1.46 million.
The annual rate of growth in average earnings was 0.1% in the three months to February, down from 1.7% previously.The annual rate of growth in average earnings was 0.1% in the three months to February, down from 1.7% previously.
The unemployment rate was 6.7% for the three months to February, up from 6.1% the previous quarter, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.The unemployment rate was 6.7% for the three months to February, up from 6.1% the previous quarter, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
"Obviously in the claimant count there is a significantly smaller rise, but we certainly can't say that this represents any turnaround. It's far too early for that," said Ross Walker from RBS Financial Markets."Obviously in the claimant count there is a significantly smaller rise, but we certainly can't say that this represents any turnaround. It's far too early for that," said Ross Walker from RBS Financial Markets.
'Collapse in earnings''Collapse in earnings'
The level of growth in average earnings was the lowest since records began in 1991, and was mainly due to the drop in bonuses in the financial sector, according to the ONS.The level of growth in average earnings was the lowest since records began in 1991, and was mainly due to the drop in bonuses in the financial sector, according to the ONS.
"The headline grabber there is the collapse in average earnings. We all thought it would fall significantly, but it has fallen much much, more sharply," Mr Walker added."The headline grabber there is the collapse in average earnings. We all thought it would fall significantly, but it has fallen much much, more sharply," Mr Walker added.
There were 462,000 job vacancies in the first three months of the year, which was down 68,000 from the previous quarter and the lowest figure since records began in 2001.There were 462,000 job vacancies in the first three months of the year, which was down 68,000 from the previous quarter and the lowest figure since records began in 2001.
"Sadly, these appalling unemployment figures will get much, much worse before they get better. There's still a lot of pain in the pipeline," said Alan Tomlinson, from the insolvency practitioners Tomlinsons."Sadly, these appalling unemployment figures will get much, much worse before they get better. There's still a lot of pain in the pipeline," said Alan Tomlinson, from the insolvency practitioners Tomlinsons.
"The impact of the recession on smaller businesses is especially severe. Company failures in this vital sector are still increasing and are likely to do so for some time yet, putting more and more people out of work.""The impact of the recession on smaller businesses is especially severe. Company failures in this vital sector are still increasing and are likely to do so for some time yet, putting more and more people out of work."

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