Employers based in office space in London and the rest of the UK have contributed to an unexpected dip in unemployment, which has seen 143,000 more people in work this quarter.
The Office for National Statistics released the figures this week to a collective sigh of relief, as people suggested it was a step in the right direction for the economy.
Figures for unemployment now stand at 2.48 million – just 330,000 less than the quarter before the recession hit, in May 2008.
Youth unemployment – which takes into account people aged between 16 and 24 – increased during the period, and the number of young people who are out of work has remained above 20 per cent.
Employment minister Chris Grayling told the BBC: “These figures are another step in the right direct direction. However, there are challenges ahead and our priority is to continue to support the economy, by reducing the deficit and putting in place measures to encourage growth in the private sector.”
