WORK FIGURES ARE JOBSMACKING
Record numbers in employment
RECORD numbers of Brits are in jobs and average earnings are at their highest for a decade.
Employment rocketed by
79,000 in the three months to October to 32.4million.
It is the highest since records began in 1971.
The Office for National Statistics said average earnings rose
3.3% in the year to October, up from 3.1% the previous month. It is the highest figure since 2008 and more than inflation at 2.4%.
Unemployment also increased, up by 20,000 to 1.38m after a big increase in the number of men out of work. But the total is still
49,000 lower than a year ago. The UK’s jobless rate is now
4.1%, 0.2% lower than a year ago. Ministers hailed the latest numbers but Labour and trade unions ■ TWO-thirds of Brits would stick their hands down a public toilet to recover a dropped mobile phone or loose change.
■ Jack Webster, from sellmymobile.com, said: “The attitude to money certainly suggests you should wash your hands after handling any wads of cash.” said wage growth was “little consolation” for workers.
Employment minister Alok Sharma said it “shows the enduring strength of our jobs market”.
But shadow work and pensions secretary Margaret Greenwood said: “The number of people in work in poverty is rising faster than employment.
“Real wages are still lower than they were 10 years ago.”
The increase in both unemployment and employment is due to population rises and fewer people on long-term sick leave.