Britain has reached its highest ever level of employment. According to new figures from the ONS, the employment rate has risen to 73.2 per cent — or close to 31 million people in work. This stands as the joint highest rate since records began in 1971. Unemployment is down to 1.86 million. The short-term jobless rate is also at its lowest rate since 1992. Pay is also increasing, with private sector earnings (excluding bonuses) up 2.1 per cent year-on-year at the end of 2014. Youth unemployment has increased slightly, something Esther McVey has described as a ‘tiny blip.’
But never in British history have there been so many job vacancies. Never have there been so many workers. These are just two facts from today’s job figures, loaded with good news for David Cameron. Normally when employment rises or falls, it’s part of a wider European trend.
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