The lastest unemployment figures are out and show another small fall in the figures. Nationally seasonally adjusted unemployment fell in July by 3,800. In Birmingham seasonally unemployment fell to 11.7% from 11.8% in June (and 12.5% a year ago), but we still have the highest unemployment of the major UK cities with Manchester now in second place.

In Acocks Green, unadjusted unemployment rose by 4 in the month to 1,147. This is 192 down on a year ago (one of the best reductions in the City).  

The most positive aspect of the overall figures is that the number of people employed in the economy has risen by 184,000 in the last three months, the largest quarterly rise since 1989. Of these 115,000 were extra part-time jobs compared to a rise of 68,000 in full time jobs. Meanwhile average pay rates were up 1.3% on a year ago – a very low figure, which should help to keep inflation under control.