Unemployment rate continues to fall

The Office for National Statistics figures show that the unemployment rate has fallen to 4.4 per cent – the lowest level since 1975.

The Department for Work and Pensions says that this is due to there now being 338,000 more people in work compared to this time last year. The employment rate is at a record high of 75.1 per cent, with 32.07 million people now in work.

Looking at 2017 alone, the figures show that there are now 247,000 more people now in work since January, whilst the female employment rate is at a record high of 70.5 per cent, with over 15 million women in work.

Damian Hinds, 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 three million more people are in work now than in 2010, with seven 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.”