UK unemployment falls by 115,000 to 1.96 million

UK unemployment fell by 115,000 between July and September to 1.96 million, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

It was the 18th consecutive quarterly fall.

Figures also showed that one measure of average earnings growth beat inflation for the first time in five years.

The ONS said earnings excluding bonuses rose by 1.3% in the year to September, ahead of the 1.2% Consumer Prices Index inflation rate.