The BBC reporting of record unemployment figures

The BBC's report of record unemployment figures is interesting as it shows the inbuilt desire to minimise damage to a Labour government. The reporting is accompanied by some putting into context by "Hugh Pym, chief economics correspondent, BBC News" and includes this masterpiece extract:

"But there is another side to the story.

The rise in the narrower claimant count in June was less than expected. This was the lowest monthly increase since May last year and below some big rises earlier this year."

Can anyone remember the BBC being so ready to soften such news when the Conservatives were in power?