Statement from Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden on the ONS Labour Market Statistics released this morning

Statement from Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden on the ONS Labour Market Statistics released this morning.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden said:

"The numbers of people in work and looking for work are at a record high.

"However, there are still too many people locked out of employment or training and missing out on the security a good job provides.

“That's why we are reforming Jobcentres and investing in our Connect to Work programme to build a workforce fit for the future and boost economic growth in every corner of the UK as part of the Plan for Change.”

Background:

• Since July 2024, falling economic inactivity has driven the population that is economically active (both those employed and those unemployed looking for work) to a record high (35.958 million).
• The rate in which people gained employment since the election (732,000) has outpaced the rise in unemployment (270,000).
• 358,000 more people are in work so far in 2025.
• DWP has launched a campaign encouraging employers to provide job opportunities for unemployed (and inactive) customers. The campaign aims to increase the number of businesses recruiting from Jobcentre Plus to fill their vacancies, repositioning them as a key recruitment partner for British business.