Upward rise in joblessness halts

The upward rise in unemployment has been halted. Under the Labour Force Survey count, unemployment fell by 79,000 to 1.77 million in the three months to August compared with the previous three-month period ending May 2015.

The unemployment rate was down — to 5.4% from 5.6% in the previous three-month period. The number of unemployed men was down by 44,000 to 970,000 and their rate of unemployment fell to 5.5% from 5.8%. The number of unemployed women was also down — by 36,000 to 803,000 and their unemployment rate fell to 5.2% from 5.5%.

There was, however, an increase in the new claimant count which now includes those on Universal Credit as well as those claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance.

The claimant count totalled 796,200 in September — an increase of 4,600 on the revised figure for July of 791,700. Nevertheless, the joblessness rate was unchanged at 2.3%.

For September 2015, there were 518,000 men claiming unemployment-related benefits, a 3,900 increase on August and 278,200 women — a 700 increase on the previous month.

Their respective joblessness rates were unchanged at 2.8% for men and 1.7% for women.

www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_417237.pdf