Despite concerns over double dip recessions and how this would affect UK employment, this morning the Department for Work Pensions has released figures which reveal that unemployment is down.
The employment rate for those aged 16 -64 was over 70.07 per cent (29.35 million), up 0.3 per cent on the quarter. Unemployment also fell from 8.3 per cent to 8.1 per cent on the quarter. Those in jobs also had some good news as total pay (including bonuses) rose by 1.5 per cent on a year earlier, up 0.1 per cent on three month prior to April 2012. Regular pay (excluding bonuses) rose by 1.8 per cent which is unchanged from the previous quarter.
However despite the the general employment situation improving the number of long term unemployed is at it highest level since 1997. The number of people who have been unemployed for two years or more rose to 18,000 to a total of 441,000.
Commenting on the figures, Employment Minister Chris Grayling said that unemployment:
“Was much too high. But I’m at least encouraged, in what are difficult times economically that we’re seeing improvements, across the board”
To see the full list of figures please see here.
