UK employment total rises by 300,000

Labour market statistics released today show the number of people in work is up by 300,000 over the last year.

This month's Labour Force survey shows employment growing and unemployment on a downward trend. The number of people in work increased by 28,000 this quarter and is more than 300,000 higher than a year ago – so topping 28.2 million people.

Minister of State for Work, Des Browne, said: "The UK has pioneered the development of pro-active support to help jobless people, especially the most disadvantaged, get back into work. With UK unemployment the lowest for a generation, partly due to programmes like New Deal, we are extending help and support to other jobless people, especially lone parents and those with disabilities."

Figures published by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Employment Outlook today shows the UK has the highest employment rate and the lowest unemployment rate of the G7 group of major industrialised countries.

The study shows the UK's employment rate, at 74.6%, is now higher than in the other G7 countries: Japan, the USA, Canada, Germany, France and Italy. The UK's ILO unemployment rate, at 5.0%, is also lower than in all these countries.

Mr Browne said: "The UK has the highest employment rate and lowest unemployment rate of the big seven industrialised countries. We have achieved this through economic stability combined with policies to tackle the barriers that can prevent some individuals from finding work."

(gmcg)