Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Labour's Jonathan Ashworth comment on latest ONS labour market statistics

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak responded to the March ONS labour market statistics saying:

“Thanks to the unprecedented economic support we’ve provided, we’ve now seen a year of falling unemployment and a stronger jobs market bounce back than so many predicted.

“I am confident that our labour market is in a good position to deal with the current global challenges, with payrolled employee numbers above pre-pandemic levels in every nation and region and redundancies at record lows.

“We know people are concerned about the rising cost of living so alongside continuing to help people find great jobs - we’re providing direct support worth more than £20 billion this financial year and next.”

Jonathan Ashworth, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, commenting on the latest ONS labour market statistics said: 

"Today's figures reveal the scale of the cost of living crisis engulfing working people. 

“Tory failure to get a grip of surging inflation alongside their punishing tax rises and another severe real terms cut to Universal Credit means hardship for working people and families facing impossible choices. 

“By refusing to halt their NICs rise and adopt Labour's plan to bring heating bills down, Rishi Sunak has shown once again the Tories simply aren't on the side of working people."