The unemployment rate is now 4.2% – down 0.4% since last year –
with the number of people out of work falling by 115,000.
The figures published by the Office for National Statistics
(ONS) come as
Black, Asian and minority ethnic employment (BAME) is at a record
high. The BAME employment
gap – the difference between the employment rates of the ethnic
minority population and the overall population – is at an
all-time low of 10.1% points.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:
The employment rate has never been higher – with over 3.3
million people moving into work since 2010.
It’s a great British success story with businesses from Exeter
to Edinburgh creating jobs – helping, on average 1,000 people
find a job each and every day since 2010.
And with the increase in the personal tax allowance, this
government has ensured that people are keeping more of their
money before they begin paying tax – meaning more take-home
pay, that’s more money in your pocket for you and your family.
Minister for Employment, said:
At 75.6%, the employment rate has never been higher, with more
people in work than ever before. And with a continued fall in
unemployment, we have a strong jobs market that’s set 17 new
employment rate records since 2010.
It’s also very welcome news that the ONS has reported
that regular pay has outpaced inflation for the third month in
a row.
The increase in personal allowances means that the typical basic
rate taxpayer is now paying £1,075 less in income tax than in
2010. Thanks to the National Living Wage full time minimum wage
workers have had an annual boost of £2,000 since 2016.
Today’s figures also show:
- private sector employment is now at 27.04 million, up by over
3.7 million since 2010
- the number of women in work is at a record high of 15.26
million
- youth unemployment has fallen by over 40% since 2010
- the number of workers aged 50 plus has reached a record 10.18
million
Separate figures released today show that more than 920,000 people
are now receiving Universal Credit, with 37% in employment.
The rollout of Universal Credit remains on track and
the business case
summary published last week confirms an estimated £8
billion boost to the economy every year when it is fully rolled
out, with an additional 200,000 people moving into work.
The government has reformed welfare to make work pay, backed
businesses to take more people on, and built a stronger, fairer
economy. But we want to help even more people benefit from a
well-paid job. That’s why we are:
- introducing a modern Industrial
Strategy to help businesses create better,
higher-paying jobs in every part of the UK
- helping people stay in work longer with our Fuller Working Lives
strategy, which supports employers to recruit, retrain and
retain older workers
- tackling inequalities in employment highlighted by
the Race Disparity
Audit, through targeted support in 20 areas around the
country and £90 million announced by the Prime Minister to help
young people
We are also arranging work experience sessions for students
through Jobcentre Plus in over 1,400 schools. The scheme is being
rolled out across the country, to ensure young disadvantaged kids
aged 12 to 18 get opportunities including work experience to
learn about the world of work and consider future career options.
So far, the partnership between Jobcentre Plus and local schools
has resulted in around 12,000 sessions for pupils, parents and
teachers helping to prepare pupils for the world of work.
