The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today revealed that UK unemployment fell slightly in the three months to January to 2.45 million.
The latest figures take the unemployment rate to 7.8%, according to the ONS.
In the meantime, the number of Britons claiming jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) also fell by 32,300 in February to 1.59 million - the sharpest fall since November 1997, just after Labour came to power.
The news will no doubt be a boost to the Government in the build up to the general election.
However, long-term unemployment, covering those out of work for a year or more, grew by 61,000 to 687,000.
Today’s jobless figures also provided a boost to sterling, which has been hit in the last few days over concerns about the UK’s ballooning deficit.
Print this Story
