11/06/2003

Employment rises 51,000 in first quarter

The numbers of people in employment has risen by 51,000 to 27.87 million over the past quarter - the highest level since records began in 1984 – according to a survey by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

The survey found that for the three months to April, there has been no change in the working age employment rate, an increase in the unemployment rate and a lower growth rate in average earnings.

Unemployment increased by 36,000 to 1.49 million, with 44,000 more men but 8,000 fewer women unemployed in the three months to April compared with the previous three months. The unemployment rate increased by 0.1% to 5.1% - unemployment rate of 4.4% for women has never been lower.

The employment rate for people of working age was 74.6 per cent, was unchanged over the quarter. The number of men in employment rose 10,000 to 15.02 million. The number of women in employment rose 41,000 to 12.85 million. The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in May also increased.

The labour market assessment this month is that the employment rate is levelling off and the trend in total hours of work remains flat. The trend in the unemployment rate is still falling slightly, but the claimant count may now have started to increase, say the ONS.

There was a fall of 69,000 full-time workers to 20.66 million but a rise of 120,000 part-time workers to 7.20 million. Part-time employment level is the highest since the series began in 1984.

Reacting to the figures, Minister for Work Nick Brown said: "These are testing times for the world economy, but in the UK the number of people in jobs is growing."

(GMcG)

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