WASHINGTON – The number of laid off workers filing applications for unemployment benefits dropped last week to the lowest level in two months.

The Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claims fell to 301,000 last week, a decline of 8,000 from the previous week. It marked the second straight weekly improvement and pushed total claims down to the lowest point since the week of May 12.

Analysts said the slowing pace of layoffs provided further evidence that the labor market has so far been able to withstand the serious slump in housing.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)