Justin Tomlinson MP has welcomed official figures which show that the employment rate is at its highest since records began.
The current employment rate is at a record 75.4%, and on average 1,000 more people have entered employment every day since 2010. In Swindon there are 10,800 more people in employment than in 2010.
The unemployment rate (4.2%) has not been lower since 1975, and the number of people out of work is down by 136,000 compared to a year ago.
Figures also show:
- Vacancies are at 815,000 in the three months to March 2018, up 44,000 on the year and up by 349,000 since 2010.
- The number of people working full time remains close to its record high.
- With over one and a half million more women in work since 2010, the female employment rate is at a new record high of 71.0 per cent.
- Youth unemployment has fallen by over 40% since 2010.
- The UK has the 3rd highest employment rate in the G7.
In addition to rising employment, wages are now rising above inflation - rising by 2.8% in the three months to February, stronger than February’s inflation rate of 2.7%.
The news follows the Government’s efforts to ensure work pays, businesses are backed to take more people on, and a stronger, fairer economy continues to develop.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “The Government has been tireless in its efforts to create a strong economy which allows business to grow & create jobs, and these latest figures show that we continue to be successful. I am delighted that North Swindon has also benefitted from the Government’s work, with a staggering 10,800 more people employed in Swindon since 2010. The number of people unemployed increased by 1 million during Labour’s last term in office, and youth unemployment rose 44%. I am incredibly proud of the work the Government has done to reverse that trend.”
