British unemployment has fallen through the one million mark for the first time for more than 25 years, official figures showed today, boosting the Labour government just weeks before expected elections.
The number of people out of work and claiming benefit fell to 996,200 people in February - the lowest level since December 1975, the Office for National Statistics reported.
Another 10,600 people came off the benefits register in the month, reducing the jobless rate to 3.4 per cent - the lowest level since September 1975. The number of people with jobs in Britain now stands at 28.1 million - an all-time record.
The data came as a boost to the Labour government just weeks before an election expected to be held in May.
Figures from the International Labour Organisation, which counts those not on benefit as well, showed that unemployment fell by 81,000 between November and January to 1.535 million - 5.2 per cent of the work force.
As jobless numbers plummet, fears are starting to grow once again that wages could spiral higher, as companies chase skilled workers from a limited pool of available talent.
But average earnings growth remained steady at 4.4 per cent in the three months to January. Alarm bells start ringing at the Bank of England when the rate tops 4.5 per cent.
AFP