Unemployment falls by 133,000 to 2.21 million

Unemployment fell by 133,000 between January and March to 2.21 million, official figures showed. The Office for National Statistics also said the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance last month fell by 25,100 to 1.12 million.

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Record high of over 30.4 million people in work

The number of people in work is now more than 30.4 million people - which is the highest since records began in 1971.

The number of people out of work is falling. Credit: PA

There was a further fall in unemployment today which was fuelled by a record high of 4.5 million people who are self-employed.

The number of people working for themselves jumped by 183,000 from January to March, compared with a rise of 375,000 over the past year.

Rates rise could be sting in tail after unemployment fall

ITV News Economics Editor Richard Edgar has tweeted:

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Unemployment falls by 133,000 to 2.21 million

Unemployment fell by 133,000 between January and March to 2.21 million, official figures showed.

The number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance last month fell by 25,100 to 1.12 million, said the Office for National Statistics.

Average earnings increased by 1.7% in the year to March, unchanged from the previous month.

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