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Article Date:	12/07/2006
Article Title:	UK unemployment levels rise by 0.3%
There were 1.65 million people classed as unemployed in the three months to May, an increase of 90,000 on the previous quarter, according to data released today by the Office of National Statistics. The unemployment rate was 5.4%, the ONS said, up from 5.1% in the previous quarter. The number claiming unemployment benefit also increased, rising by 5,900 to 956,600 in June. The claimant count was 956,600, up 5,900 from the previous month. The number of vacancies was 598,100 up 1,900 from the previous quarter. The ONS said its latest figures revealed 75% employment among those of a working age. The ONS also added that average earnings increased by 4.1% in the three months to May. While the rate was higher than expected it was down from the previous month's figure of 4.4%. Analysts said the latest figures may help to ease worries of inflationary pressures in the economy