The UK’s employment rate is a joint-record 75.8%, rising by 3.55 million since 2010

UK wages are increasing at their joint-fastest rate in a decade, with unemployment remaining low at 4 per cent.

The figures, published today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), showed that wages outpaced inflation for the eleventh month in a row.

The new figures confirmed that 2018 was a year of widespread employment opportunity showing:

• A record high employment rate for people from ethnic minority backgrounds of 66.2%
• 145,000 more disabled people found work since last year, an overall increase of 930,000 in the last five years
• More women are in the workplace than ever before, 15.31 million. The female employment rate is also a record – 71.4%

Minister of State for Employment Alok Sharma said:

“While the global economy is facing many challenges, particularly in sectors like manufacturing, these figures show the underlying resilience of our jobs market – once again delivering record employment levels.

“Our pro-business policies mean we have started the new year with a strong labour market, with wages outpacing inflation for the eleventh month in a row, and more people in work than ever before. It’s also excellent news that we see the rate of women in employment at a record high.

“Of course, we need to ensure that we continue to provide one-to-one support for anyone whose jobs may be at risk, or who might be looking to move to a new role.”