Wages have risen above inflation for the 18th month in a row – news which has been welcomed by North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson.
The average weekly wage for employees grew 4% compared to a year earlier, rising 2.1% after inflation. The Resolution Foundation found that the proportion of jobs that are low paid is at the lowest level since 1986, thanks in part to our National Living Wage.
A report published earlier this year by The Resolution Foundation found that low pay could be eliminated by the middle of the next decade - as long as the Government continues with incremental rises to the national living wage.
The UK’s employment rate remains at a joint record high of 76.1%, up 0.6% from this time last year. Figures also show that the number of people employed full-time is at a record high, making up 74% of the workforce and increasing by 2.95m since 2010.
The unemployment rate remains low at 3.8%, with the unemployment rate for women at 3.6% - the joint lowest since comparable records began in 1971. Youth unemployment stands at 11% - halving since 2010.
Justin Tomlinson said: “These figures show that, thanks to a balanced approach to the economy, the Conservatives are providing a solid foundation on which to build Britain’s economic future.
Families across the country are benefitting from a sustained boost in their wages and, with a record number of people in full-time work, we are giving more households the security of a regular wage.”
