Government Minister for Employment, said:
“Supporting more people into work and putting more money in the
pockets of working people is at the heart of our Plan for Change.
“That's why we are transforming the way we help people into
secure, well-paid jobs. Six months after we launched Get Britain
Working, we are already seeing the benefits with economic
activity at a record high, with 500,000 more people in employment
since we entered office and real wages growing more since July
than in the decade after 2010.
“People all over the country are benefitting from increased
training opportunities and the newly launched Jobs and Careers
Service will allow us to test new and innovative approaches to
personalise employment support.”
British Chambers of
Commerce
Responding to the latest labour market data, published by the ONS
this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the
British Chambers of Commerce said:
“The increase in employment costs for
business appears to be starting to bite with today's data showing
a rise in unemployment.
“This year's steep increases in
national insurance and the national living wage have undoubtedly
delivered a shock to businesses.
“Vacancies continue to fall which
aligns with our research, showing
that, due to increased employment costs, many firms are now
freezing recruitment plans, while others are being forced to
reduce headcount.
“At the same time, wage growth
continues to outpace inflation, adding further cost pressures for
firms already facing rising overheads. Employment costs and
pervasive skills shortages are a massive challenge for business,
presenting big risks to investment and
growth.
“This week's Comprehensive Spending
Review is a golden opportunity to invest more in the skills
system – with apprenticeship reform and local skills improvement
plans critical to solving the problem.
“The £5bn cost associated with the
employment rights bill poses a further threat to firms'
investment plans. Without further amendment, the legislation will
add even more to employers' costs.”