UK unemployment falls by 57,000 to 2.51 million

UK unemployment fell by 57,000 to 2.51 million in the three months to May, the Office for National Statistics said.

The unemployment rate was 7.8%, the ONS data showed. The number of people in employment rose by 16,000 to a total of 29.7 million.

The ONS also said that the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in June fell by 21,200 to 1.48 million. This fall was the fastest rate in three years.

But speaking to the BBC, Nick Palmer from the ONS said that the number of those suffering long-term unemployment had risen to its highest level since 1996.