UK unemployment rate drops
London, United Kingdom (AHN) – The unemployment rate in the United Kingdom fell during the first three months of the year, but the number of people filing claims for jobless benefits rose in April, the Office for National Statistics said.
Unemployment declined by 36,000 to 2.46 million people in the first quarter of the year, which was the lowest number since September. It marked the second consecutive quarter of declines and brought the unemployment rate down by 0.1 percentage points to 7.7 percent, which was better than some analysts expected.
Employment increased by 118,000 people.
However, the number of people filing for unemployment compensation benefits in April increased by 12,400 to 1.47 million, the ONS said.
In addition, the number of people unemployed for more than 12 months rose to its highest level since January 2007, increasing by 20,000 to 850,000 people.
View full post on Labor Stories