Statistics show employment rise in 2015

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released figures showing that UK employment rates were up between February and April compared to the three months to January 2015.  As detailed in the press release the figures show:

• 'There were 31.05 million people in work, 114,000 more than for the 3 months to January 2015 and 424,000 more than for a year earlier.
• There were 22.74 million people working full-time, 362,000 more than for a year earlier. There were 8.31 million people working part-time, 63,000 more than for a year earlier.
• The proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 in work (the employment rate) was 73.4%, up slightly from the 3 months to January 2015 (73.3%) and higher than for a year earlier (72.7%).
• There were 1.81 million unemployed people. This was 43,000 fewer than for the 3 months to January 2015 and 349,000 fewer than for a year earlier.
• Comparing February to April 2015 with a year earlier, pay for employees in Great Britain increased by 2.7% both including and excluding bonuses.'

Employment Minister Priti Patel said: 'Today's figures confirm that our long-term economic plan is already starting to deliver a better, more prosperous future for the whole of the country, with wages rising, more people finding jobs and more women in work than ever before'.

Neil Carberry, CBI Director for Employment and Skills, said:

'These figures provide more evidence that the wage squeeze has eased, with private sector pay increasing almost as fast as it was before the crisis. At the same time, firms are creating more jobs.'

'If we are to deliver sustainable higher wage growth, we need to see a rise in productivity. That means businesses investing in skills, and the Government helping firms innovate by supporting investment in next month's Budget.'

'These figures are testament to the strength of our flexible labour market, which has helped British firms create a strong number of permanent full-time jobs.'

Internet links: ONS bulletin Press release