UK unemployment continues to fall

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) UK unemployment fell by 16,000 to 1.62 million in the three months to October.

The figures also showed that the long-term unemployment has fallen to 418,000 and is the lowest it has been since 2008, down 31,000 on the quarter, while youth unemployment sits at 587,000, a fall of 350,000 since 2010.

The number of women in work is at a record high of almost 15 million and long term unemployment is down by 31,000 since July.

Damian Green, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “This year will be remembered as one when so many records were made – employment has consistently been running at an all-time high with more women, older workers and ethnic minority groups in work than ever before.

“Encouragingly, this good news was extended right across the UK. But there is more to do to help people of all backgrounds and abilities into work, which will remain a priority as we press ahead with our welfare reforms that are ensuring it always pays to be in work.”