BBC News
UK unemployment has fallen again while wage growth has hit a near four-year high, official figures have shown.
The number of people out of work between February and April fell by 43,000 to 1.81 million, the Office for National Statistics said.
The jobless rate held steady at 5.5%, the lowest level since August 2008.
Meanwhile wage rises grew at their fastest rate since August 2011, rising 2.7%, both including and excluding bonuses.
The total number of people now in work is 31.05 million people, which is 114,000 more than in the previous three month period.
The British pound rose to a one-month high against the US dollar at $1.57, as traders reacted to news that wages are rising more quickly than expected.
Employment Minister Priti Patel said: "Today's figures confirm that our long-term economic plan is already starting to deliver a better, more prosperous future for the whole of the country, with wages rising, more people finding jobs and more women in work than ever before."
The employment rate for women hit a record 68.6%.
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