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14/06/2006
UK jobless total continues to rise
The UK unemployment rate has continued to rise sharply, according to the latest figures released from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today.
The unemployment rate rose to 5.3%, up 0.2% over the quarter and up 0.6% over the year. The number of unemployed people increased by 77,000 over the quarter and by 199,000 over the year, to reach 1.61 million.
The employment rate for people of working age was 74.7% for the three months ending in April 2006. This is up 0.2% over the quarter but down 0.1% over the year.
However, the number of people in employment for the three months ending in April 2006 was 28.94 million, the highest figure on record. Employment increased by 130,000 over the quarter and by 272,000 over the year. The number of jobs in March 2006 was 30.98 million. This is the highest figure on record and is up 52,000 on the quarter and up 146,000 over the year.
The figures revealed that the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance benefit has increased, the number of job vacancies has fallen, and the downward trend in the employment rate has levelled off.
While growth in average earnings excluding bonuses has fallen, growth in average earnings including bonuses has increased.
Total hours worked per week were 924.2 million. This is down 1.8 million over the quarter but up 6.7 million over the year.
The annual rate of growth in average earnings (the AEI), excluding bonuses, was 3.8% in April 2006, down 0.1% from the previous month. Including bonuses it was 4.4%, up 0.2% from the previous month.
The average number of job vacancies for the three months to May 2006 was 594,100. This was down 9,200 on the previous quarter and down 39,700 over the year.
The redundancy rate for the three months to April 2006 was 6.0 per 1,000 employees, up from 5.7 from the previous quarter.
(SP/KMcA)
The unemployment rate rose to 5.3%, up 0.2% over the quarter and up 0.6% over the year. The number of unemployed people increased by 77,000 over the quarter and by 199,000 over the year, to reach 1.61 million.
The employment rate for people of working age was 74.7% for the three months ending in April 2006. This is up 0.2% over the quarter but down 0.1% over the year.
However, the number of people in employment for the three months ending in April 2006 was 28.94 million, the highest figure on record. Employment increased by 130,000 over the quarter and by 272,000 over the year. The number of jobs in March 2006 was 30.98 million. This is the highest figure on record and is up 52,000 on the quarter and up 146,000 over the year.
The figures revealed that the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance benefit has increased, the number of job vacancies has fallen, and the downward trend in the employment rate has levelled off.
While growth in average earnings excluding bonuses has fallen, growth in average earnings including bonuses has increased.
Total hours worked per week were 924.2 million. This is down 1.8 million over the quarter but up 6.7 million over the year.
The annual rate of growth in average earnings (the AEI), excluding bonuses, was 3.8% in April 2006, down 0.1% from the previous month. Including bonuses it was 4.4%, up 0.2% from the previous month.
The average number of job vacancies for the three months to May 2006 was 594,100. This was down 9,200 on the previous quarter and down 39,700 over the year.
The redundancy rate for the three months to April 2006 was 6.0 per 1,000 employees, up from 5.7 from the previous quarter.
(SP/KMcA)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
