UK Unemployment falls to 1.86m

The number of people out of work in UK fell by 102,000 to 1.86 million in the three months to January, official figures show.

The unemployment rate remains at 5.7% but the number of people in work rose is at an all-time high, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) said.

Average earnings, including bonuses, rose 1.8% in the quarter, compared with a year earlier. Regular pay rose 1.6%.

That means earnings continue to outstrip inflation at 0.3%.

The figures will be a fillip for Chancellor George Osborne, who delivers his final Budget before the general election later on Wednesday.

Source:  BBC