World

There have been signs that the UK economy is beginning to pick up, but jobless data tends to lag behind other measures.
The level of unemployment is now at its highest since May 1995.
Employment minister Jim Knight said that an OECD Employment Outlook – which recognised UK government efforts to help the unemployed – suggested the UK had lower than average rates of unemployment than the G7 and the EU.
“However, we know things will still be tough for some time and unemployment is likely to keep increasing, even once the economy starts growing again – that’s why it’s critical that we continue investing in people’s future and don’t just abandon them.”
Average earnings, including bonuses, increased by 1.7% in the three months to July, down from the previous month.