Figures out today show the largest annual increase in employment since 1997. The new figures, issued by the Office for National Statistics, also show that the number of people in employment is the highest on record at 29.5 million.
A rise in the number of older workers represents almost half of the annual increase in employment with 7.89 million people over 50 now continuing to work. The number of vacancies is at a record high, rising 12,000 on the quarter to 687,600, while the number of redundancies are down 17,000 to a record low of 106,000. Unemployment continues to fall, down 90,000 from a year ago.
Stephen Timms, Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform said:
"More people now than ever are in work, while unemployment continues to fall - showing strong performance in spite of the current global economic uncertainties.
"The economy is benefiting from the skill and expertise that people aged over 50 are bringing to the workforce and we are continuing to ensure that our welfare reforms provide greater opportunities for people across all walks of life to get into work if they want to".
