Unemployment edges lower


Unemployment has edged lower, latest official figures show. Unemployment in the UK in the three-month period May to July 2019 fell by 11,000 to 1.29 million from 1.3 million the previous three-month period.


However, the fall in numbers was not enough to affect the unemployment rate which remained at 3.8%. The number of unemployed men was down by 8,000 to 710,000 but their rate was unchanged at 4.0%. The fall in numbers for women was just 2,000, taking their total to 583,000 and cutting their unemployment rate to 3.6% from 3.7%.


Unemployment was also down in three UK nations — by 16,000 in England, 11,000 in Wales and 2,000 in Northern Ireland. However, numbers were up by 19,000 in Scotland.


Northern Ireland’s unemployment rate at 2.8% was well below the UK average of 3.8%, while in England and Wales it matched the UK average. The increase in unemployed numbers in Scotland pushed the rate up to 4.0%, and so above the UK average. 


The other main official unemployment measure is the claimant count, which only includes claimants receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance and those on the means-tested Universal Credit. In August 2019, unemployment under this count increased by 28,200 on the previous month to 1.18 million.

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