Business Politics Europe

UK unemployment falls to 4.9%

Britain's labor market showed surprising resilience before the full economic impact of the Middle East conflict was felt.

While the jobless rate fell, the data also revealed a sharp rise in economic inactivity, particularly among students and those with long-term illness.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves welcomed the figures but cautioned that the 'stagflation' risks from high energy prices remain a serious concern.

Business leaders are warning that hiring may further contract as firms struggle with rising fuel and logistics costs.

Unemployment drops sharply as inactivity in jobs market rises The Standard — Apr 21, 08:22 AM
Unemployment falls below 5% in surprise boost for Labour The Independent — Apr 21, 07:54 AM
UK unemployment rate falls to 4.9% as wage growth hits slowest pace since 2020 Times Of India — Apr 21, 08:05 AM
UK unemployment drops sharply to 4.9%, surprising analysts ITV — Apr 21, 06:47 AM
UK unemployment falls to 4.9% as pay growth drops to lowest in five years LBC — Apr 21, 06:29 AM
UK unemployment shows surprise fall to 4.9% as pay growth drops to lowest in five years The Guardian — Apr 21, 06:21 AM
U.K. Unemployment Falls Below 5% Wall Street Journal — Apr 21, 06:20 AM
UK unemployment rate sees surprise fall to 4.9% BBC News — Apr 21, 06:19 AM
UK unemployment rate drops more than expected to 4.9% The Times — Apr 21, 06:09 AM
UK's unemployment rate drops to 4.9% in February Seeking Alpha — Apr 21, 06:05 AM
Surprise fall in unemployment rate but wage growth at five-year low Sky News — Apr 21, 04:32 AM
Wage growth hits lowest level since November 2020; unemployment rate unexpectedly falls - business live The Guardian — Apr 21, 06:42 AM

Office for National Statistics
United Kingdom's principal government institution in charge of statistics and census data

Rachel Reeves
British politician and current Chancellor of the Exchequer (born 1979)

United Kingdom
Island country in north-west Europe