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Unemployment and jobseekers figures down

The number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance has fallen to its lowest level for more than four years. And latest figures show total unemployment fell by four thousand between April and June to 2.5 million.

The unemployment rate remains at 7.8 percent.

Pensions Minister is Steve Webb - who is a Christian - and he says the figures are a positive take on the economy:

"My sense is the economy it's a bit like trying to have a painting by numbers landscape.

"And we've been filling in the colours whether it's been the growth figures, the maunufacturing output, the exports and today record numbers in work we're starting to get a picture of an economy that's really picking up."

The social action arm of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Caritas Social Action Network is now calling on the Government and employers to do more to address chronically high levels of in-work poverty.

CSAN's Public Policy Officer, Liam Allmark, said:

"Today's announcement that unemployment has fallen is extremely encouraging. 

"However, employment alone is not enough to tackle rising levels of UK poverty. 

"Catholic Charities are reporting more and more families who are in work seeking their assistance as they struggle to meet even the basic costs of living.

"With two-thirds of children living in poverty coming from working households and almost five million people earning below the amount necessary to meet basic living costs, more must be done to tackle the scandal of in-work poverty.

"CSAN has been vocal in our calls for just wages as well as fair terms and conditions of employment.

"It is also important to recognise that for many of the 2.51 million people in the UK who are still without work, life is becoming increasingly difficult because of changes to the welfare system including the benefit cap which came into force across the country this week."

 
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