Unemployment Remains At Lowest Rate Since 1975

The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, also show that there are now 32.10 million people in work, 317,000 more than last year.

These figures have been driven by increases in full-time and permanent work, and in the last year there are 20,000 fewer people relying on zero hour contracts.

The female employment rate is also at a near record 70.7%, with over 15 million women in work. However, mothers aged between 16 and 49 are still less likely to be in employment than women without dependent children of the same age.

One area of focus for the government is therefore getting more women into work, and in the process boosting their pay income.

The employment figures also show:

• There are a near record 783,000 vacancies in the economy at any one time
• The number of people in employment has increased by over 3 million since 2010
• The UK has the 3rd highest employment rate in the G7
• The number of workers aged 50 and over has reached a record 9.97 million
• Youth unemployment has fallen by over 40% since 2010
• The proportion of young people who are unemployed and not in full time education remains below 5%

As part of the government’s response to the recent Race Disparity Audit, the Department for Work and Pensions will target 20 hotspots where ethnic minority people are more likely to be unemployed.

Measures in these areas could include mentoring schemes to help those in ethnic minorities into work, and traineeships for 16 to 24 year olds, offering English, maths and vocational training alongside work placements.