The number of people registered at job centres fell by 9.3% in August compared with the same month last year. According to the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), there were 273,723 registered unemployed people.

Compared with July, however, the total increased by 1.7%. The two indicators therefore point in different directions: the situation improved compared with August last year, but deteriorated slightly over the course of one month.

Reading the year-on-year and monthly changes together helps put labour market data in context. IEFP figures track people registered with employment services and should not be confused with other statistical measures of unemployment.

Read the next IEFP data releases to follow the labour market.