Employment rates hit new record highs in the UK

Overall employment rate in the UK has reached a record high of 75.7%, according to official figures released by the Office for National Statistics.

In addition, the unemployment rate remains at its lowest since 1975. And, since 2010, the majority of employment growth has been in both full-time and permanent roles.

The women’s employment rate has remained at a joint record high of 71.3%.

The figures show that the majority of female employment growth since 2010 has been in higher skilled occupations (74.1%) and the full-time gender pay gap has fallen to a record low of 9.1%.

Esther McVey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “The employment rate is now at a record high of 75.7%. With over 3.3 million more people in work since 2010, this government has seen on average 1,000 more people in work each and every day.

“Making sure our jobs market works for everyone is at the heart of this department’s work and the modern industrial strategy, and with over 800,000 job vacancies we have a buoyant jobs market with plenty of opportunities available.”

The eight-year trend shows the majority of roles are in full-time, permanent work that’s higher skilled – which means higher paid too.

Alok Sharma, Minister of State for Employment, commented: “It’s fantastic that we have another record high in overall employment and the female employment rate has never been higher, with more people in work than ever before.

“Importantly, it’s good see that wages are continuing to outpace inflation. And it’s worth remembering that of the over three million increase in employment since 2010, 75% are full-time and permanent, and around 70% are in higher skilled occupations which generally attract higher wages.”

These official figures also show the number of workers aged 50 and over remains at a record high of 10.18 million; the UK has the third highest employment rate in the G7 and youth unemployment has fallen by nearly 45% since 2010.