The government says the number of people claiming jobless benefits for the first time droppped slightly last week, evidence that the labor market remains weak even as the economy is recovering.

The number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for jobless benefits rose more than expected last week, after falling in five of the past six weeks, as employers remain reluctant to hire even with the economy showing signs of recovery.

The number of newly laid-off workers filing first-time claims for jobless benefits fell to the lowest level since early January, as layoffs eased a bit amid a fledgling economic recovery. The fourth drop in new claims in five weeks is a sign the labor market is slowly healing, experts say. However, employers are reluctant to hire additional workers, and the unemployment rate is expected to keep climbing well into next year.

The number of newly laid-off workers filing first-time claims for jobless benefits fell to the lowest level since early January, as layoffs ease a bit amid a fledgling economic recovery.

First-time claims for jobless benefits increased more than expected last week in the U.S., a sign employers are reluctant to hire and the job market remains weak.

The number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits rose unexpectedly for the second straight week, an indication that jobs remain scarce.

The latest government reports reinforced concerns about how quickly consumers will be able to contribute to a broad economic recovery.

The U.S. government says the number of newly-laid off workers seeking unemployment insurance fell last week, fresh evidence that layoffs are easing.

The number of newly laid-off workers filing first-time claims for jobless benefits rose last week, the government said, though the increase was mostly due to seasonal distortions.

Students entering an already-clogged job market and cuts in the automotive industry propelled Virginia’s jobless rate up 0.3 percentage points to 7.3 percent in June, the Virginia Employment Commission reported yesterday. A year ago, Virginia’s unemployment rate was 4 percent. The seasonally unadjusted rate is lower than the national average, which is 9.7 percent, according to data released yesterday.

The government says the number of newly laid-off workers seeking jobless benefits rose last week, though the report was distorted by the timing of auto plant shutdowns.

The number of newly laid-off workers filing initial claims for jobless benefits last week fell to lowest level since early January, largely due to changes in the timing of auto industry layoffs. Continuing claims, meanwhile, unexpectedly jumped to a record high.

The number of newly laid-off workers filing initial claims for jobless benefits last week fell to lowest level since early January, largely due to changes in the timing of auto industry layoffs.

Despite persistent layoffs, the economy seems to be faring better than it was at the start of the year. The Labor Department said yesterday that new jobless claims jumped unexpectedly last week. And the number of people continuing to receive unemployment aid rose more than expected. The figures indicate that jobs remain scarce even as the economy shows some signs of recovering from the longest recession since World War II.

The number of people filing new jobless claims jumped unexpectedly last week, and the total unemployment benefit rolls rose to more than 6.7 million.