WASHINGTON - The number of new people signing up for unemployment benefits fell sharply last week, a spot of welcome news that nonetheless failed to change the overall picture of a softer employment climate.

The Labor Department reported today that new applications filed for unemployment insurance fell by a seasonally adjusted 24,000 to 351,000 for the week ending March 1.

Although the drop left claims lower than the 360,000 showing economists were expecting, the longer-term picture shows a slowing in the jobs market. A year ago, new filings for unemployment benefits stood at 327,000.

The number of people continuing to collect unemployment benefits rose by a sharp 29,000 to 2.83 million for the week ending Feb. 23, the most recent period for which that information is available. That was the highest level since late September 2005.


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