Department for Work and Pensions - Source: ONS, November 2017, stats relate to period July to September 2017 The figures released by the Office for National Statistics, also show that employment remains at a near record high, with 32 million people in work.
Increases in full-time and permanent work are behind the figures. In the last year the number of people on zero hours contracts has fallen by 20,000.
Minister for Employment, Damian Hinds said:
“The strength of the economy is driving an increase in full-time, permanent jobs and a near-record number of people are now in work thanks to the government’s welfare reforms.
“When unemployment fell to 5% early last year, many people thought it couldn’t get much lower, and yet it now stands at 4.3%.
“Everyone should be given the opportunity to find work and enjoy the stability of a regular pay packet. We’ve cut income tax for 30 million people since 2010, meaning people keep more of their money each month.”
Employment figures also show:
- The number of people in employment has increased by more than 3 million since 2010
- The UK has the third highest employment rate in the G7
- The number of workers aged 50+ has almost reached 10 million – a record level
- Youth unemployment has fallen by over 40% since 2010
- There are a near record 780,000 vacancies in the economy at any one time
- The proportion of young people who are unemployed and not in full-time education remains below 5%
Separate figures out show there are 630,000 people on Universal Credit, with 40% in employment.
Recruiters love this COMPLETE set of Accredited Recruitment & HR Training – View Training Brochure
