Share

British unemployment drops to 7.9%

London - The number of unemployed people in recession-hit Britain fell by 50 000 to 2.53 million in the quarter to August from the total in the previous quarter, official data showed on Wednesday.

The unemployment rate sank to a 14-month low of 7.9%, compared with 8.1% in the three months to May, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) added in a statement.

The numbers claiming jobless benefits meanwhile retreated by 4 000 in September to 1.57 million people. That was the third monthly drop in a row and the lowest total since July 2011.

The ONS also revealed that Britain's employment total hit a new record high, growing by 212 000 to 29.59 million people over the same period.

Britain escaped a deep downturn in late 2009 but fell back into recession at the end of 2011. Gross domestic product shrank 0.4% in the second quarter, or between April and June, compared with output in the first quarter.

Many analysts expect Britain to have emerged from recession in the third quarter, or three months to September.

"This is another set of impressively resilient and healthy labour market data which gives a lift to recovery hopes. Ongoing decent employment increases is supportive to consumer spending," said IHS Global Insight economist Howard Archer.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.01
-0.4%
Rand - Pound
24.16
-0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.66
-0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.39
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.5%
Platinum
906.17
-1.9%
Palladium
1,006.16
0.0%
Gold
2,156.08
-0.2%
Silver
24.93
-0.5%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
66,252
0.0%
All Share
72,431
0.0%
Resource 10
53,317
0.0%
Industrial 25
100,473
0.0%
Financial 15
16,622
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders