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Unemployment down 76,000 as earnings increase

Unemployment fell by 76,000 in the three months to February, official figures have revealed.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the drop brings the number of people now not in work down to 1.84 million - with a record 31 million people in work.

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Labour: 'Biggest fall in wages since 1874' under coalition

Labour's shadow work and pensions secretary, Rachel Reeves, has criticised the government for overseeing the "biggest fall in wages since 1874".

Rachel Reeves said the Tories' plan was 'failing' Credit: PA

She claimed that despite the numbers in work hitting a record high of 31 million, and average earnings up on last year, people were still bringing in less than they were before the last general election.

Today's fall in overall unemployment is welcome, but with working people earning on average £1,600 less a year since 2010 and the biggest fall in wages over a parliament since 1874, it's clear the Tory plan is failing.

– Rachel Reeves, Labour

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