UK unemployment rate falls to 7.9% - ONS

PanARMENIAN.Net - The number of people out of work fell by 50,000 to 2.53 million in the three months to August, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), BBC News reported.

Employment reached a record high of almost 30 million, while the unemployment rate fell to 7.9%.

The ONS also said the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance fell by 4,000 to 1.57 million in September.

The UK has been in recession, but many economists expect third-quarter figures to show a return to growth.

The number of people in employment has not been higher since records began in 1971.

According to the ONS, employment measures the number of people in paid work and differs from the number of jobs, because some people have more than one job.

"It's a real landmark to see more people in work than ever before," Employment Minister Mark Hoban said.‪ "Despite the tough economic times, the private sector continues to create jobs and our welfare reforms are encouraging people to return to work - with 170,000 fewer people on the main out-of-work benefits than in May 2010."

The government also noted that there were more job opportunities available, with the number of unfilled vacancies at 476,000, up 3,000 on the quarter and 17,000 from the same period last year.