Rising employment statistics

The Office for National Statistics has published the latest employment statistics.

The Office for National Statistics has published the latest employment statistics which reveal:

  • Estimates from the Labour Force Survey show that, between October to December 2016 and January to March 2017, the number of people in work increased, the number of unemployed people fell, and the number of people aged from 16 to 64 not working and not seeking or available to work (economically inactive) also fell.
  • There were 31.95 million people in work, 122,000 more than for October to December 2016 and 381,000 more than for a year earlier.
  • The employment rate (the proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 who were in work) was 74.8%, the highest since comparable records began in 1971.
  • There were 1.54 million unemployed people (people not in work but seeking and available to work), 53,000 fewer than for October to December 2016 and 152,000 fewer than for a year earlier.
  • The unemployment rate (the proportion of those in work plus those unemployed, that were unemployed) was 4.6%, down from 5.1% for a year earlier and the lowest since 1975.
  • There were 8.83 million people aged from 16 to 64 who were economically inactive (not working and not seeking or available to work), 40,000 fewer than for October to December 2016 and 82,000 fewer than for a year earlier.
  • The inactivity rate (the proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 who were economically inactive) was 21.5%, down from 21.8% for a year earlier and the joint lowest since comparable records began in 1971.
  • Latest estimates show that average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain in nominal terms (that is, not adjusted for price inflation) increased by 2.4% including bonuses, and by 2.1% excluding bonuses, compared with a year earlier.
  • Latest estimates show that average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain in real terms (that is, adjusted for price inflation) increased by 0.1% including bonuses, but fell by 0.2% excluding bonuses, compared with a year earlier.'

Responding to the latest data, Alpesh Paleja, CBI Principal Economist, said:

'Rising employment continues to reinforce the importance of the UK's flexible labour market.

However, weakening productivity and slower pay growth, coupled with rising inflation, will continue to squeeze real household earnings.

Therefore maintaining the UK's reputation as a great place to do business, for example by increasing R&D spend to 3% of GDP by 2025, will help boost the UK's productivity. This is the only sustainable route to higher wages, and better living standards.'

Internet links: ONS statistics CBI news

Home | Contact us | Site map | Accessibility | Disclaimer | Privacy | Help |

© 2024 Michael Harwood & Co. Chartered Accountants. All rights reserved.

“Michael Harwood & Co” is a trading name of Greville House Services Limited, a Limited Company registered in England & Wales (company number 04119622). Registered office address:

Michael Harwood & Co. Chartered Accountants, Greville House, 10 Jury Street, Warwick, Warwickshire CV34 4EW

A list of directors is available for inspection at the registered office. Any reference to a ‘partner’ in relation to Michael Harwood & Co means a Director of Greville House Services Limited.
Michael Harwood & Co is registered to carry on audit work in the UK by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales’. Details about our audit registration can be viewed at www.auditregister.org.uk under our firm reference number C003802656.


We use cookies on this website, you can find more information about cookies here.