Last updated at 10:34, Wednesday, 20 February 2013

LONG term unemployment is at its lowest level in almost 12 months, according to government figures.

This quarter the number of people classed as long-term unemployed fell by 15,000 while overall unemployment fell by a further 14,000 to 2.5m nationwide – according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics.

There are more people in work than ever before, with the number of people in employment rising by 154,000 to 29.7m.

The UK employment rate is now higher than in the United States and is well the Eurozone and of the extra people in work over the last year, nearly nine out of 10 are British.

There has also been a rise in the number of young people in work, and fewer young people are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, said: "The fall in long-term unemployment is particularly welcome and shows that the training and support we are offering is helping people move off benefits and into work.

"These figures show another big increase in full-time jobs, half a million more British people in work over the past year and more women in employment than ever before.

"The UK is now ahead of many its international rivals when it comes to cutting unemployment and creating jobs which is so important as we compete in a global race."

First published at 10:31, Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk