UK unemployment total sees slight fall

The number of people claiming jobseekers' allowance also fell slightly

The number of people unemployed in the UK fell by 9,000 in the three months to September, leaving total unemployment almost unchanged at 2.45 million.

The overall unemployment rate was also unchanged at 7.7%, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The data showed that the claimant count - those out of work and receiving benefits - also fell slightly in October, by 3,700 to 1.47 million.

This reversed a 5,300 rise in the claimant count the previous month.

The overall picture remains one of a jobs recovery that is much more sluggish than after previous recessions, analysts say.

Across the country the performance was mixed, with the Midlands, the South East, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North West all seeing unemployment rise.

Part-time jobs

Overall employment in the UK economy increased by 167,000 in the three months to September, compared with the previous quarter, reaching 29.19 million, according to the ONS's statistical bulletin.

This suggests that while some unemployed people are finding jobs, the total pool of unemployed workers is being replenished by inactive people who are choosing to re-enter the workforce by actively looking for work again.

However, most of the new jobs created were only part-time.

"Part-time workers now account for 27.3% of total employment, which is up from 25.4% at mid-2008," said Howard Archer, chief UK economist at IHS Global Insight.

"This suggests that businesses are reluctant to take on full-time workers due to their concerns over the longer-term economic outlook."

Gender gap

The figures also showed that the number of people unemployed for six months or more rose by 21,000 in the quarter to reach 1.18 million.

"Also significantly, job vacancies fell 27,000 in the three months to October," Mr Archer said. "The biggest fall was in education, suggesting that the public sector cuts are already biting there."

The number of unemployed women rose by 31,000 in the quarter to reach 1.02 million - the highest level since 1988.

In contrast, the number of unemployed men fell 40,000 to 1.43 million.

Meanwhile, the earnings picture is continuing to improve gradually.

Average pay in the three months to September was up 2% on a year ago. This compares with the 1.7% rise previously reported for the three months to August, but remains below consumer prices inflation of 3.2%.

Uncertain outlook

The report contained few surprises for City analysts, who are more concerned by the jobs outlook over the next six to 12 months as government spending cuts begin to bite.

A report last month by accountants PwC predicted that cuts in public sector spending would have the knock-on effect of about 500,000 job losses in the private sector, on top of 490,000 public sector job cuts planned by the coalition government.

"The recent data has been good and today's labour figures are no exception," said James Knightley of ING, who noted that total employment is at its highest level since February 2009.

"[It] offers support to the view that public sector job losses can be more than offset by increases in private-sector employment."

But he cautioned that government cutbacks, the failure of earnings to keep up with 3% inflation, limits on bank lending and moves by households to repay their debts could all combine to weaken the economy over the coming months.