ERSA welcomes the latest Labour Market Statistics

ERSA welcomes the latest Labour Market Statistics published today which show the employment rate at a record high of 74.5%, up 0.3% on the quarter, and the unemployment rate at 4.9%, the lowest for over a decade. With 172,000 more people in work in the past quarter, there are now more people in employment than ever before (31.75 million).

Sam Windett, ERSA’s Head of Policy and Communications, said:
“These government statistics continue to show the positive contribution made by employment support providers on the UK labour force. The Work Programme alone has helped over 500,000 people into sustained employment since it began, which has helped to change lives, communities and businesses across the UK.

“Looking forward however, we face increasing uncertainty in the labour market and the government needs to ensure that employment support providers are in a position to react appropriately to any potential downturn, while helping to drive up productivity.”