According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of
people in work is at the highest level since records began in
1971.
The record figures have been driven by increases in the number of
people in secure work – over 75% of the increase in employment
over the past 7 years has been in full-time work.
There are now 338,000 more people in work compared to this time
last year.
Minister for Employment, said:
These statistics show that record levels of people are in work
across the country and earning a wage, which is great news.
Over 3 million more people are in work now than in 2010, with 7
in 10 of these roles being in higher skilled work.
Over the past year the rise in employment has been
overwhelmingly driven by permanent and full-time jobs, as
employers continue to invest in Britain’s strong economy.
The task now is to build on this success through Jobcentre Plus
and our employment programmes so that everybody can benefit
from the opportunities being created.
Today’s figures also show:
-
the employment rate is at a record high of 75.1%, with 32.07
million people now in work – an increase of 338,000 on the
year
-
this year has been a strong one for employment growth with
247,000 more people now in work since January
-
there are a near record 768,000 vacancies in the economy at
any one time
-
the female employment rate is at a record high of 70.5%, with
over 15 million women in work
-
youth unemployment is down by 394,000 since 2010
-
there are more British people in work than ever before and
around 9 in 10 people in jobs are UK nationals
-
the UK employment rate is now the fourth highest in the
European Union and 7 percentage points higher than
the EU28 average
Separate figures out today show 1.3 million claims
have been made to Universal Credit. Of the 570,000 people now
claiming Universal Credit, 39% are in work.
The government recently announced up to £35 million of funding
with devolution authorities across England for 6 new innovation
employment pilots. These will help over 18,000 disadvantaged
people into employment, and tackle long-term barriers to work and
in-work progression.
