Lowest jobless tally since 1974 adds rate pressure on Bank of England

Jobless at lowest since mid-seventies (Rui Vieira/PA)

(Picture: PA Archive)

Unemployment has fallen to its lowest level in nearly half a century as employers continue to struggle to recruit the staff they need to grow their businesses.

The jobless tally dropped from 3.6% to 3.5% in the three months to August, a rate not seen since early 1974, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).