UK Unemployment at Lowest Since Before the Recession

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 and 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.

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. In total, there are now a record 30.76 million people in work.

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.”