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| UK unemployment falls below two million | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| UK unemployment fell by 154,000 in the three months to the end of August to 1.97 million, the first time it has been below two million since 2008, official figures show. | |
| The drop took the unemployment rate to 6%, its lowest level since late 2008. | |
| The employment rate is now 73%, close to its all-time high of 73.2%, the Office for National Statistics said. | |
| Over the year, the number of unemployed people fell by 538,000, the largest annual fall since records began. | Over the year, the number of unemployed people fell by 538,000, the largest annual fall since records began. |
| The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in September fell by 18,600 to 951,900. | The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in September fell by 18,600 to 951,900. |
| The drop marks the 23rd consecutive monthly reduction. | The drop marks the 23rd consecutive monthly reduction. |
| Excluding bonuses, average weekly earnings in the June-to-August period rose by 0.9% from a year earlier. Including bonuses, earnings rose by 0.7%. | Excluding bonuses, average weekly earnings in the June-to-August period rose by 0.9% from a year earlier. Including bonuses, earnings rose by 0.7%. |
| However, earnings remain below the rate of inflation, currently 1.2%. | However, earnings remain below the rate of inflation, currently 1.2%. |
| In total, there are now a record 30.76 million people in work. | In total, there are now a record 30.76 million people in work. |
| However, the number of people classed as economically inactive, including students, long-term sick and those retiring early, increased by 113,000 in the quarter to more than nine million. | However, the number of people classed as economically inactive, including students, long-term sick and those retiring early, increased by 113,000 in the quarter to more than nine million. |
| The number of self-employed people dropped by 76,000 in the latest three-month period to 4.5 million, but the total is 279,000 higher than a year ago. | The number of self-employed people dropped by 76,000 in the latest three-month period to 4.5 million, but the total is 279,000 higher than a year ago. |
| And the number of employees in part-time jobs has reached a record high of 6.8 million. | And the number of employees in part-time jobs has reached a record high of 6.8 million. |
| Youth unemployment - covering 16-to-24-year-olds - fell by 88,000 over the quarter to 733,000, giving a jobless rate among the age group of 16%. | Youth unemployment - covering 16-to-24-year-olds - fell by 88,000 over the quarter to 733,000, giving a jobless rate among the age group of 16%. |
| Employment minister Esther McVey said: "Today's record figures show that the government's long-term economic plan to help businesses create jobs and get people working again is proving successful." | Employment minister Esther McVey said: "Today's record figures show that the government's long-term economic plan to help businesses create jobs and get people working again is proving successful." |
| Shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves tweeted that the jobs figures showed a "welcome fall in unemployment". | Shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves tweeted that the jobs figures showed a "welcome fall in unemployment". |
| "But wages still well behind inflation. The pay squeeze on working people continues," she added. | "But wages still well behind inflation. The pay squeeze on working people continues," she added. |
| Chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: "Britain is fast becoming the job creation capital of the Western economies. Because our recovery plan is working, so is the country and in record numbers." | Chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said: "Britain is fast becoming the job creation capital of the Western economies. Because our recovery plan is working, so is the country and in record numbers." |