The UK unemployment rate fell to 4.9% in the three months to April 2026, defying expectations that it would remain at 5.0%. The number of unemployed people fell by 105,000 to 1.764 million, driven by a decline in those unemployed for up to six months. The number of people unemployed for between six and 12 months was broadly unchanged, while those out of work for more than 12 months decreased.