The level of unemployment in the UK fell by 0.1 per cent in the three months to January, official figures have revealed.
During this period, the number of people out of work fell by 33,000 to 2.45 million, the first quarterly drop seen since the three months to May 2008, the Office for National Statistics noted.
It also stated that the tally of people claiming jobseekers' allowance dipped by 32,300 between January and February 2010.
However, the number in employment also fell, down 0.3 per cent in the three months to January.
This could mean some people are leaving work and engaging in other activities such as education or training rather than becoming unemployed.
Fears that unemployment may yet rise again this year - something that may be caused by public spending cuts - is encouraging saving, Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee member Charles Bean remarked in a speech this week.
He suggested that a willingness of employees to show restraint over pay demands has helped to preserve jobs.
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