UNEMPLOYMENT fallen to its lowest level for more than six years and pay rises have continued to outstrip inflation, but the North-East is still plagued by the highest jobless rate, figures have shown.

The national jobless total fell by 58,000 between September and November to 1.91 million, the lowest since autumn 2008, while a record 30 million people are in work.

However, the unemployment and the claimant rates in the North-East at 8.7 per cent and 4.3 per cent respectively are the highest in Great Britain. 

The North-East jobless rate continues to be almost double that of the South-East and South-West of England, and the claimant rate (the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance) is about three times as high in our region. 

North-East unemployment stands at 109,000 - a fall of 9,000 over the quarter and 20,000 over the year. Employment in the North-East stands at 1,151,000 or 69.7 per cent, which is a rise of 12,000 over the quarter and increase of 33,000 over the year. This compares to a rate of 73 per cent nationally.

Unemployment has fallen by 418,000 over the past year across the country, although the latest quarterly reduction was the smallest since July to September 2013.

The jobless rate is now 5.8 per cent compared with 7.1 per cent a year ago. Despite the good news on unemployment, there was another increase in the number of people classed as economically inactive, up by 66,000 to more than nine million.

The total includes people on long-term sick leave, looking after a relative or who have given up looking for work.

Long-term unemployment has also fallen, down by 185,000 to 658,000 among those out of work for over a year, while the number of jobless 16 to 24-year-olds increased by 30,000 to 764,000 - the first quarterly rise since June-August 2013.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "The drop in unemployment is welcome news. Behind the statistics are stories of people finding self-respect and purpose in life."