Record-Breaking Numbers of Women in Work as Employment Continues to Rise

Record-breaking numbers of women are now in work in the UK, the employment rate of 67.2% is the highest since records began and over 14 million women are in employment, according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics this morning.

The growth in overall employment also continued with the number of people in work rising 193,000 on the quarter.  Creating jobs and getting people into employment are central to the government’s long-term economic plan to build a stronger, more competitive economy, so hardworking people can secure their future.

1.3 million more people are now in jobs compared with 2010, over a million of these jobs are full-time and this month’s figures show that UK nationals made up nearly nine-tenths of the rise in employment in the last year.

Employment Minister Esther McVey said:, “With employment continuing to increase, it’s clear that the government’s long-term plan to build a stronger, more secure economy is helping businesses create jobs and get people into work.  Record numbers of women are in work and youth unemployment continues to fall, which means more people have the security of a regular wage and can plan for their future.”

The number of unemployed people fell 125,000 in the last 3 months, with the number of people who were long-term unemployed also falling by 45,000.  The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance has fallen for the 15th consecutive month.

The number of young people who are in work increased by 49,000 in the last 3 months, with the number claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance falling for the last 20 months.

The latest figures show the number of job vacancies increased in the last 3 months by 28,000 and are up by over 100,000 since 2010, to 580,000.

This month’s Labour Force Survey covers October to December 2013.  The claimant count is for January 2014 and the vacancy count for November 2013 to January 2014.

The number of people in work rose this quarter • 30.15 million people were in work in October to December 2013 • the employment level rose 193,000 on the previous quarter and 396,000 on the year • the employment rate is 72.1%, up 0.3 points on the quarter and up 0.6 points on the year