Britain's unemployment rate fell unexpectedly to 7.7% in the first quarter from 7.8% during the final three months of 2010, official data showed today.
Market expectations had been for a reading of 7.8% between January and March, according to economists.
The Office for National Statistics added that the number of unemployed in Britain fell by 36,000 to 2.46 million people in the first quarter.
It added that the number of people claiming benefits increased by 12,400 between March and April to reach 1.47 million.
