UK Employment Rate Hits Record High

The UK employment rate is at an all-time high as the jobs market continued into 2019 with 473,000 more people in work in January compared to a year ago, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The UK’s employment rate reached an all-time high of 76.1%.

New figures show that wages continued to outstrip inflation for 12 months in a row.

Minister of State for Employment Alok Sharma welcomed the figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which also showed unemployment falling below 4% for the first time since the mid-1970’s.

Companies are driving the growth, with private sector employment up by 3.8 million since 2010. The figures also revealed a higher rate of women in work than ever before.

Minister of State for Employment Alok Sharma said:

Today’s employment figures are further evidence of the strong economy the Chancellor detailed in last week’s spring statement, showing how our pro-business policies are delivering record employment.

2019 has continued to be a record breaker, with the employment rate topping 76% for the first time, record female employment and unemployment falling below 4% for the first time in 44 years.

Our jobs market remains resilient as we see more people than ever before benefitting from earning a wage. By backing the government’s Brexit deal and giving certainty to business, MPs have the chance to safeguard this jobs track record.

The government says it is helping even more people benefit from a well-paid job by:

• backing businesses to create good jobs with our modern Industrial Strategy, while ensuring they play by the rules, so we are closing tax loopholes, strengthening workers’ rights, and tightening the rules big businesses must follow
• investing in the infrastructure, training and apprenticeships we need for our future, with public investment at the highest sustained level in 40 years
• helping people stay in work longer with our Fuller Working Lives strategy, which supports employers to recruit, re-train and retain older workers
• tackling inequalities in employment highlighted by the Race Disparity Audit, through targeted support in 20 areas around the country and £90 million announced by the Prime Minister to help young people.