UK employment rate at joint record high as wages surpass inflation

New figures from the Office for National Statistics also show the UK workforce is more gender diverse than ever before, with the number of women climbing to a new record high and ethnic minority employment rate at a near-record high, now making up 51% and 32% of employment growth respectively since 2010.

Sectors such as manufacturing and construction are experiencing the big increase in number of jobs, with 85,000 more people employed in the last year.

Wages are also on the up this month outstripping inflation for a 17th month, boosting consumer confidence and spending power for millions – with real term total wage growth hitting 1.8%.

Meanwhile, UK unemployment rate remains steady at 3.9% – as the number of unemployed people continues fall in every region of the UK since 2010.

Today’s statistics also show the number of disabled people in work increasing by 1.15 million in the last 6 years – and an increase of 246,000 disabled people in employment in the last year.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Minister for Women and Equalities, Amber Rudd said:

“More people in work than ever before means more households across the UK are earning a regular income, and millions more receiving a pay boost thanks to wages rising at their fastest in a decade – outstripping inflation for the 17th month in a row.

“Our workforce increasingly reflects our vibrant society, with a record number of women in employment while the number out of work falls to an all-time low.

“This week many young people will receive their A level results and begin their career journey. They should know that they are entering a workforce that is flourishing and full of opportunity and I hope all young people, especially women, feel empowered to flourish in every role in every sector.”

The government is helping even more people benefit from a well-paid job by:

• Backing businesses to create good jobs with the modern Industrial Strategy – including strengthening workers’ rights, and tightening the rules for big businesses
• Investing in infrastructure, training and apprenticeships we need for our future, with public investment at its highest in 40 years
• Introducing Universal Credit – better supporting people move into work faster and stay in it longer
• Supporting employers to recruit, re-train and retain older workers to stay in work longer with our Fuller Working Lives strategy
• Tackling employment inequalities with targeted support in 20 UK regions and £90 million to help support young people