ST. PAUL — A new rundown on unemployment is coming from the agency that keeps tabs on Minnesota’s job figures.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development planned to provide statistics today covering July. A month ago, the department said Minnesota’s unemployment rate was at a seven-year low. It was 4.5 percent in June.

Minnesota’s rate is far better than the national average. But both major parties are employing the jobs figures in their political campaign.

Democrats said the dropping rate combined with job growth point to an improved economy. Republicans have argued that too many people are in positions beneath their pay and skill level.