Slight Fall In Unemployment

The unemployment rate fell 0.2% to 7.8% for July to September 2012 according to a statistical bulletin from the ONS. The number of the unemployed stands at 2.51m, down 49,000 on April to June an 110,000 on last year. The inactivity rate was 22.6% or 9.07m economically inactive people aged 16-64. The employment rate was 71.2% or 29.58m people, up 513,000 people on last year. Total hours worked per week for July to September were 945.3m, up 10.6m from April to June. Average hours worked were 32. Estimates for total hours can be affected by the arrangement of public holidays. In September 2012, average total pay was £471/week and total rergular pay was £444/week.