Unemployment down 35,000 on the quarter
20 April 2012
Unemployment in the UK has fallen for the first time since last year, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The unemployment rate fell to 8.3 per cent of the economically active population during the three months from December to February, meaning there are now 2.65 million people unemployed in the UK - down 35,000 on the quarter.
Unemployment in the UK reached a 17 year high in February this year, peaking at 8.4 per cent of the population and leaving 2.67 million people out of work.
29.7 million people aged 16 and over are now in employment - 70.4 per cent of the country and up by 0.1 per cent on the quarter.
1.61 million people are now claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) in March, up by 3,600 on the month, but these monthly figures are now stalling.
Employment minister Chris Grayling said: "Any fall in unemployment is welcome, but of course it remains much, much too high," adding that he was reluctant to place too much emphasis on a single month's figures.
"We've got a long way to go and I want us to continue to focus on supporting and encouraging business so that it grows and invests and creates jobs," he said.
Despite the latest decrease in figures, unemployment still remains significantly higher than it was a year ago, with Chris Grayling saying that long-term unemployment remained a 'top' priority for the Government.
Commenting on the figures, general secretary for the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Brendan Barber, said: "While any rise in the number of jobs is welcome, the fact is that full-time employment is still falling and a record 1.4 million are now stuck in involuntary part-time work."
"There is also a sting in the tail for those in work for with wages falling even faster than feared due to low pay growth and stubbornly high inflation.
"We now need to turn today's good news into a sustained fall in unemployment, with decent pay rises and full-time work. The UK is still a million jobs short of its pre-recession health."
