UNEMPLOYMENT has fallen across the UK as wages slow to their lowest level in a year, according to new data.
The rate of unemployment fell to 4.2% in between April and June, from 4.4% the previous three months.
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The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the number of people aged between 16 and 64 in work stood at 74.5% over the same time period.
However, it said economic activity among the same age group was 22.2%.
Figures from the ONS also reveal wage growth, excluding bonuses, has slowed to its lowest level in a year.
Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the ONS, said: “Basic pay growth, while remaining relatively strong, continues to slow.
“Growth in total pay slowed markedly, with last year’s one-off NHS bonuses affecting the comparison.
“There was a fall in the unemployment rate, which is now lower than a year ago.
But, she warned: “The medium-term picture remains somewhat subdued with the employment rate still lower than a year ago and the growth rate in the number of payrolled employees having slowed over the year.”
The latest figures from the ONS also reveal there were an estimated 884,000 job vacancies in the UK in May to July.
That’s a 26,000 fall or 2.8% drop from the period February to April, in a boon for the employment market.
The ONS said the number of job vacancies decreased in the last quarter for the 25th consecutive period.
