Business · Economy · 57 mins ago
UK unemployment falls to 4.7% as job vacancies hit five-year low
UK unemployment fell to 4.7% in the three months to August, down from 4.9% in the previous three-month period.
The figures from the Office for National Statistics cover the UK and show unemployment at its lowest level in more than a year.
Employers added 13,000 payroll jobs between August and September, bringing the total to 30.3 million.
But vacancies fell by 21,000 to 691,000, the lowest level in five years.
The mixed picture matters because employers reported fewer openings even as unemployment declined.
Average pay growth including bonuses slowed to 3.7%, while regular pay growth was 3.7%; both remained above the 3.1% inflation rate.
The figures provide a backdrop to the UK budget on 28 October, while the Bank of England is watching pay growth for possible effects on prices.
UK unemployment fell to 4.7% in the three months to August, down from 4.9% in the three months to July.
Job vacancies fell by 21,000 to 691,000 in the three months to September, the lowest level in five years.
The Office for National Statistics said the latest figures showed a small drop in unemployment and an edging up in the employment rate.
Payroll employees rose by about 13,000 between August and September, according to more timely data.
Average pay growth including bonuses eased to 3.7%, while regular pay growth was 3.7%.
- Who
- UK workers and employers, in figures reported by the Office for National Statistics.
- What
- Unemployment fell to 4.7%, while vacancies declined to 691,000.
- When
- Unemployment figures cover the three months to August; vacancy figures cover the three months to September. Payroll data compares August and September.
- Where
- United Kingdom.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
UK unemployment fell to 4.7% from 4.9% in the three months to July.
Payroll employees rose by about 13,000.
Vacancies fell by 21,000 to 691,000.
- Unemployment rate
- 4.7% in the three months to August
- Previous unemployment rate
- 4.9% in the three months to July
- Job vacancies
- 691,000 in the three months to September
- Change in vacancies
- Down 21,000
- Payroll employees
- About 13,000 more between August and September
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What people are saying
While the labour market remains broadly flat in 2026, data from the latest quarter shows the employment rate edging up and a small drop in unemployment.
The number of vacancies has seen its largest fall since the start of the year, concentrated mainly within smaller businesses, which cite increased labour costs as a key factor.