Official figures released today (24 January 2018) show
that the employment rate is at a joint record high of 75.3%, with a
record 32.2 million people in work.
This is a rise of 415,000 compared to last year’s figures.
The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, also
show that unemployment is at its lowest level since 1975.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, , said:
We had a record-breaking 2017 for employment, and I’m delighted
to see this trend continue as we enter the new year.
The number of people in work is at an all-time high and the
unemployment rate has not been this low for over 40 years.
At this time of year, straight after Christmas, people might be
feeling a squeeze on their finances. We’re determined to help
people keep more of what they earn.
That’s why we’ve increased the National Living Wage, introduced
Universal Credit to offer greater flexibility and taken
millions of people out of income tax altogether by raising the
tax-free personal allowance.
In 2017, at least 10 employment records were broken. The
employment rate and the number of people in work, the number of
women in work and black and minority ethnic employment all
reached record highs during the year.
Today’s employment figures also show:
- there are a record 810,000 vacancies in the economy at any
one time
- the number of people in employment has increased by over 3
million since 2010
- the UK has the third highest employment rate in the G7
- the number of workers aged 50 plus has reached a record 10
million
- youth unemployment has fallen by over 40% since 2010
Separate figures also released today show there are 700,000 people claiming
Universal Credit as the rollout of the new benefit
continues, with 42% in employment.
