Unemployment continues to fall


Unemployment under the Labour Force Survey count continues to be at its lowest level since the mid-1970s. It fell by 53,000 to 1.54 million in the three months to March 2017. The unemployment rate fell to 4.6% from 4.8%.


The number of unemployed men fell by 23,000 to 852,000 and their unemployment rate fell to 4.8% from 4.9% in the previous three-month period ending December 2016. Meanwhile, the number of unemployed women fell by 30,000 to 688,000 and their unemployment rate fell to 4.4% from 4.6%.


Despite the overall fall in numbers, regional figures show a rise in numbers in London, the South East, South West and Wales.


In March, three regions had an unemployment rate significantly above the UK’s 4.6%: the unemployment rate in London was 6.1%; in the North East it was 5.9%; and the rate in Northern Ireland was 5.3%. 


Unemployment on the other main measure, the claimant count, rose for the second consecutive month. This count only includes those claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and those on Universal Credit. 


In April, the monthly rise was 19,400 taking the total number of claimants to 792,800 from the revised total of 773,400 for March. 


The rise in numbers impacted on the joblessness rate which increased to 2.3% from 2.2% in March.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peoplenotinwork/unemployment