Job figures show unemployment falling to lowest level in over 6 years

On the day they launch their business manifesto positive job figures will give David Cameron a boost this morning.

New figures show that unemployment has fallen to a six-and-a-half-year-low. The official data shows that the rate is at the lowest since 2008. It is the final data on the issue to be released before voters head to the polls.

Average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, rose by 1.8 per cent in the quarter to February, compared with an increase of 1.6 per cent in the three months to January.

The figures show that 1.9m more people are in work compared to when the Coalition took power in 2010. However Labour accuse the Conservatives of being “out of touch” with working people and warn that much of this employment is unstable and low paid work.

Rachel Reeves, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said:

“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.”