Unemployment falls

Wednesday, 15 December 2004 12:00 AM

Unemployment is down, and employment is up, according to the latest official figures.

But, the number of job vacancies is down and the growth in average earnings has increased.

In the last quarter, the number of people in employment rose by 55,000 to 74.7 per cent of the working age population.

The unemployment rate stood at 4.7 per cent, with a fall in unemployment of 29,000. The number of people claiming unemployment benefit also fell to 833,200 - down 3,400 on the previous month.

But, the number of people classed as economically inactive - not looking for work - was up 26,000 over the quarter to 29.83 million.

Average earnings, including bonuses, was at 4.1 per cent - a 0.3 per cent increase from the previous month. Excluding bonuses, AEI stood at 4.4 per cent, a 0.1 per cent increase.

Welcoming the figures, Minister for Work Jane Kennedy, said: "These figures show employment at its highest ever level. The number of people in work has increased by over 200 thousand in the last twelve months and by 2 million in the last seven years.

"The improvement in the labour market is providing more opportunities for people to move from welfare to work. The last year has seen the number of people claiming unemployment benefits fall to its lowest level for nearly thirty years. There are also fewer claiming incapacity benefits and fewer lone parents on benefit."

She added: "The Government's policies are about extending employment opportunity to all. It is very good news that the employment position for those who can face the greatest barriers to finding work - such as people with disabilities, lone parents and the long-term unemployed - has improved the most. With the creation of Jobcentre Plus, alongside policies such as New Deal and Pathways to Work, our aim is to go even further."

Tags: