The number of people out of work in the UK fell by 58,000 to 1.91 million, its lowest level for more than six years, in the three months to November, official figures indicate.
However, there were signs that growth in employment is easing, with the fall in unemployment its smallest since the three months to September 2013.
The number of jobless 16 to 24-year-olds also increased by 30,000 to 764,000 – the first quarterly rise since June to August 2013.