UK employment at highest ever rate, says DWP

Employment has reached a record high in the UK, with over 30 million people in work, according to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Unemployment in the UK has dropped to 5.1%, the lowest since 2006, whilst long-term unemployment has fallen at a rate of 25%, the lowest in six years.

The number of full-time jobs has increased, helping the employment rate to rise. There has also been an increase in wages over the past year.

Opportunities

The DWP stated that a “wealth of opportunities” are being created in the economy, with the number of job vacancies in the UK increasing to over 750,000.

Employment minister, Priti Patel, said that the figures show a “fantastic start” to 2016, adding that there are now “more people in work than ever before” and that wages are growing, which is “a credit to hardworking Brits and businesses alike.”

Patel stated that the record number of job vacancies further demonstrates the strength of the labour market, adding that “as a one nation government we will build on this throughout the coming year – doubling childcare for working parents and introducing the new National Living Wage.”

This will ensure that everyone has “increased financial security” and “the opportunity to get on and succeed in life.”

Record high

Figures also showed that the number of women in work has increased to 14.66 million, which is an increase of over a million since 2010.

The number of young people who have left full-time education and are now in work has reached a record high of 76.4%, whilst the number of people who have left full-time education and are unable to find a job has fallen to 14.1%.