Unemployment continued to fall in January and the employment level stands at a record high with almost 29.4m in work.

Figures issued by the Office for National Statistics show the numbers claiming jobseekers allowance is down for the 16th consecutive month, falling by 10,800 in January to 794,600, the first time it's fallen below 800,000 since 1975. The number of vacancies in the UK economy remains high at 677,400. Redundancies are at their lowest level since records began in 1995.

Employment minister Stephen Timms says: "These figures show we continue to have a strong and stable labour market with both record numbers in employment and the lowest claimant count for 32 years.

"Our welfare reform policies are improving the opportunities for people that have traditionally been the hardest to reach, helping them to make the move off benefits and into work. With the right help and support more people are able to take up jobs and provide for themselves and their families where before this didn't seem an option."

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