The job market latest stats from the Office for National Statistics show a 55,000 rise in employment in the three months to April 2016.
The ONS announced that:
‘Between the 3 months to January 2016 and February to April 2016, the number of people in work increased, the number of unemployed people fell, and the number of people not working and not seeking or available to work (economically inactive) fell slightly.
There were 31.59 million people in work, 55,000 more than for the 3 months to January 2016 and 461,000 more than for a year earlier.
There were 23.10 million people working full-time, 304,000 more than for a year earlier. There were 8.50 million people working part-time, 157,000 more than for a year earlier.
The employment rate (the proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 who were in work) was 74.2%, the joint highest since comparable records began in 1971.
There were 1.67 million unemployed people (people not in work but seeking and available to work), 20,000 fewer than for the 3 months to January 2016, 148,000 fewer than for a year earlier and the lowest since March to May 2008.’
Josh Hardie, CBI Deputy Director-General, said:
‘The UK labour market remains in decent health, but pipeline pressures are building for employers, at a time when businesses are facing greater uncertainty.
Firms are facing a number of issues that could add costs; the impact of the introduction of the National Living Wage, the forthcoming apprentice levy and the EU Referendum, all against the backdrop of anaemic global growth.
So, combined with persistently low productivity, real risks remain for the labour market’s long-term health and UK growth more broadly.’
Internet links: ONS statistics CBI news
