Latest labour market statistics

The latest labour market statistics for the period March to May 2017 showed a 175,000 rise in employment and 64,000 fall in unemployment.

Estimates from the Labour Force Survey show that, between December 2016 to February 2017 and March to May 2017, the number of people in work increased, the number of unemployed people fell, and the number of people aged from 16 to 64 not working and not seeking or available to work (economically inactive) also fell.

Some of the findings were:

• There were 32.01 million people in work, 175,000 more than the previous quarter.
• The employment rate (the proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 who were in work) was 74.9%, the highest since comparable records began in 1971.
• Latest estimates show that average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain in nominal terms (that is, not adjusted for price inflation) increased by 1.8% including bonuses, and by 2.0% excluding bonuses, compared with a year earlier.
• Latest estimates show that average weekly earnings for employees in real terms (adjusted for price inflation) fell by 0.7% including bonuses, and fell by 0.5% excluding bonuses, compared with a year earlier.

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Anna Leach, CBI Head of Economic Intelligence, said:

'These figures underline the strength of the UK's flexible labour market, which was recognised in… Taylor Review. But declining real pay and productivity remain concerning, reinforcing the imperative that any changes following the review support the economy's ability to create great jobs.'

'Making real progress on productivity growth requires a modern industrial strategy, with real change on the ground on skills, infrastructure and innovation.'

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