Wages have continued to rise and there are a record number of women in work, thanks to the government’s long-term economic plan.
Average pay growth (excluding bonuses) is at 2.8%, meaning hardworking people have more money in their pockets, as the UK economy continues to recover.
There are now a record 14 million women in work, showing that this one nation government is delivering on the commitment to ensuring the economic recovery is felt by all sections of society.
In a further sign of the strength of the UK labour market, there are 354,000 more people in work than a year ago, with the vast majority of the rise in employment coming from full-time work.
The figures coincide with the launch of the new #WEcan work experience campaign – which is designed to ensure that even more young people have the opportunity to gain valuable and practical business skills for that first step on the career ladder.
Other key employment statistics today show that there are nearly 2 million more people in work than in 2010 and nearly half a million more people are in jobs in the private sector over the last year alone. Furthermore, unemployment has also fallen by 221,000 in the last year and long-term unemployment has fallen by more than 210,000 since 2010. The figures also show that there are 735,000 vacancies – an increase of nearly 70,000 since last year. Furthermore, the claimant count has fallen by more than by more than 200,000 in the last year
Work and Pensions Secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, said:
“Thanks to our long term economic plan we have already seen 2 million more people in jobs since 2010. On top of that, today’s figures show job vacancies at a near record high – evidence of the continued confidence of British businesses, and potential for further growth in the UK economy.
“Our one nation government is helping millions across the country to succeed and achieve their full potential. I was particularly pleased to see that wages are continuing to rise – meaning that hardworking people will see a real difference in their pay packets.”
