The number of people out of work in the UK fell by 125,000 to 2.34 million in the three months to December, according to the latest estimates.
The unemployment rate now stands at 7.2%, but the Office for National Statistics said the improvement in the labour market could be slowing. Meanwhile, more women are in work than at any time since records began, at just over 14 million. Average earnings have also increased, by 1.1% in the year to December. Latest estimates show that 193,000 more people were in work between October and December, compared to the previous three months.
That means overall employment now stands at more than 30 million, a rate of 72.1%, which is an increase of 0.6% on a year ago.
Read more