The
number of people claiming unemployment benefit has fallen below a million for
the first time in 25 years according to the Office for National Statistics.
The
jobless rate fell to 3.4 per cent and the number of people claiming unemployment
benefit has dropped to 996,200, the lowest level since December 1975.
Education
and Employment Secretary, David Blunkett, said, “This is a major milestone and
shows how we are changing Britain from a welfare state into a working state.”
“These
figures show the success of our welfare to work programme aimed at achieving
full employment and is a tribute to the efforts of unemployed people finding
work.”
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday