The rate of UK unemployment remained unchanged at 4.4% in the three months to May, the Office for National Statistics has said
Meanwhile UK average regular earnings growth fell to 5.7% in the three months to May and lifted by 3.2% after taking Consumer Prices Index inflation into account
The Labour market figures continue to show signs of gradual cooling, with the number of vacancies still falling
Commenting on the figures Ben Harrison, Director of the Work Foundation at Lancaster University, a leading think tank for improving working lives in the UK:
“Today’s labour market figures provide a stark reminder of the scale of the challenge facing the new Government as it seeks to deliver on its commitments to restore stability, improve living standards and support more people into work.
“The latest data has shown the employment rate has fallen to 74.4%. This is down 1.1% on the year, which means Labour will need to see over a five percentage point increase in the rate in future years to achieve their aim of raising the employment rate to 80% – which would be the highest in the G7. Unemployment has risen by 0.4% on the year to 4.4% and economic inactivity due to long-term sickness continues to be at near-record levels at 2.81 million.
“These figures underscore the importance of the new Government delivering on the commitments made in yesterday’s King’s Speech to reduce NHS waiting times and improve access to mental health support. But there are unlikely to be any quick fixes when supporting those out of work to return, as it will require a wholesale shift in culture within Jobcentres and the wider employment support system from a punitive to a proactive approach.
