2017.10.1804:58:00UTC+00UK Jobless Rate Lowest Since 1975

The UK unemployment rate held steady at the lowest level since 1975, the Office for National Statistics said Wednesday.

The ILO jobless rate came in at 4.3 percent in three months to August, the lowest since 1975, and in line with expectations. In the same period of 2016, the rate was 5 percent.

The number of unemployed decreased by 52,000 from March to May to 1.44 million. At the same time, people in work increased to 32.1 million.

The employment rate was 75.1 percent versus 74.5 percent a year earlier.

Data showed that total earnings, including bonus, increased 2.2 percent in June to August period from the previous year. Excluding bonus, earnings grew 2.1 percent.

The claimant count rate held steady at 2.3 percent in September. The number of people claiming unemployment benefits increased by 1,700 from August.