Wales starts 2017 with year-on-year increase in employment level

Employment levels at the beginning of 2017 are higher than they were at the beginning of 2016

Over the year, the level of employment in Wales increased by 24,000 and the rate was up 1.9% points. The level of unemployment decreased by 15,000 and the rate was down 1.0% point.

The claimant count has also decreased in Wales by 1,200 between November and December. Over the year, the level decreased by 1,500 and the rate was down 0.1% points.

Headlines from Labour Market Statistics include:

  • The employment level in Wales is down 18,000 over the quarter to 1.440 million and the rate is down 1.0% point to 72.5%. Over the year, the level increased by 24,000 and the rate was up 1.9% points.
  • The unemployment level is up 1,000 over the quarter to 66,000 and the rate is up by 0.1% points to 4.4%. Over the year, the level decreased by 15,000 and the rate was down 1.0% point.
  • The claimant count fell 1,200 (2.9 per cent) between November and December and fell 1,500 (3.4%) over the year. The rate stands at 2.8%. For the UK, the claimant count decreased by 10,100 (1.3%) over the month and increased 26,900 (3.5% points) over the year and now stands at 797,800. The UK rate is 2.3%.
  • Economic inactivity is up 18,000 over the quarter to 459,000 and the rate is up by 1.0% points to 24.1. Over the year, the level decreased by 21,000 and the rate was down 1.1% points. For the UK, inactivity increased by 85,000 (0.2% points) over the quarter but fell 63,000 (0.2% points) over the year and now stands at 8.894 million. The inactivity rate for the UK now stands at 21.7%;
  • Total employment for the UK fell by 9,000 over the quarter to 31,802 million. The rate decreased by 0.1% points to 74.5%. Over the year, the level increased by 294,000 and the rate by 0.4% points.
  • Total UK unemployment decreased by 52,000 over the quarter to 1.604 million, the rate was unchanged and stands at 4.8 per cent. Over the year, the unemployment level fell by 81,000 and the rate by 0.3% points.

Alun Cairns, the Secretary of State for Wales, said: “It is great that Wales has begun 2017 with higher levels of employment than this time last year. The latest Labour Market statistics show that businesses in Wales have the ability to thrive and grasp the opportunities facing us. Welsh businesses have shown that they are confident about the future and setting their sights high for 2017.”

“These figures coincide with recent announcements, such as the decision to house the F-35 global repair hub in North Wales and the new Aston Martin manufacturing facility at St Athan, and highlight that Wales remains a great place to do business.”

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