UK employment level rises to new record high of 29.46 million people in work

The number of people in employment has again increased to a new record high of 29.46 million, new figures out today have revealed.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed unemployment has fallen by 32,000 on the quarter, with 89,000 fewer people unemployed compared to a year ago. The number of vacancies stands at 678,500.

At the same time, the numbers claiming jobseekers’ allowance continued to fall for the 17th consecutive month, remaining the lowest claimant count for 32 years. In January, the number fell to 794,600 – the first time it had fallen below 800,000 since 1975.

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Stephen Timms, minister for employment, said: “Once again this is a strong set of figures. There have never been more people in work in the UK. Our employment rate of 74.8% continues to be above that of most other countries within the EU.

“Gone are the days when whole cities and towns were suffering high unemployment. Every region and country in the UK now benefits from higher employment and there are a million fewer people on key out-of-work benefits than 10 years ago,” he said.