Unemployment at 30-year low

11,000 jobseekers came off the dole last month

Wednesday, 12, Dec 2007 12:00

Unemployment is at its lowest level for over 30 years, the government said today.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show 11,000 jobseekers came off unemployment benefits last month.

This brings the total claimant count down to 813,000, echoing figures last achieved in April 1975.

The ONS data show 134,200 people have come off unemployment benefits over the course of the year with a record number now in work. This looks set to be sustained, with vacancies up to 680,000.

This is mirrored by ILO unemployment figures, which are also at a historical low of 5.3 per cent unemployment, down 0.1 per cent on the quarter.

Employment minister Caroline Flint said: "It's great to see the number claiming unemployment benefit fall for the 14th month in a row to reach its lowest level for over 30 years."

In a bid to reduce unemployment further, the government is working with 250 businesses in Local Employment Partnerships, which will aim to get benefit claimants off welfare and into work.

Ms Flint continued: "Work is the best route out of poverty and with over 250 companies working with us, more long-term benefit claimants can fill some of the 680,000 job vacancies.

"A decade ago too many people were being written off, their talents wasted and skills ignored. Now these people are among the record numbers in work, contributing to the economy and supporting their families."

Speaking today at the Policy Exchange, shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling said the welfare state must act as a safety net and not a way of life.

As such, he argued the benefits system must offer incentives to return to work, including more support for people looking for work.

The Conservatives will argue parents with children at primary school should be willing to work part-time, increasing to full hours once their child is 11.