Record number of people in work for the quarter to November 07.
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Figures out today show the highest quarterly growth in the number of people in work since 1997. In the three months to November 2007, 175,000 more people found a job, bringing the total in employment to 29.36 million, the highest figure on record.
At the same time the independent figures from the Office for National Statistics show the numbers claiming unemployment benefit fell for the 15th consecutive month to 807,700
Employment Minister Caroline Flint welcomed the figures, saying: “I”m pleased to see these figures showing growth in employment for both younger and older workers alike ““ with 60,000 more 16-24 year olds and 95,000 more people over 50 in work than in the last quarter. With record numbers of vacancies in the economy the opportunities exist for people to make the most of their skills and talents.
“These are another set of positive figures on the labour market. But we are determined to do more through our comprehensive welfare reform programme and the roll out of local employment partnerships to help ensure everyone gets the chance they deserve.”
Despite persistent pessimistic forecasts for the economy, Office for National Statistic figures also showed that the number of job vacancies remained high and that redundancies were down on the previous year.
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