ERSA welcomes the latest set of labour market statistics for September to November 2017, which show unemployment down by over 3000 on the quarter and with the rate falling to 4.3% – the lowest since 1975. The statistics also show that the employment level has increased by 102,000 more than the previous quarter, with 32.21 million people in work in total. There was concerning news that the unemployment rate for 16-24 year olds has risen to 12.2% (538,000), an increase of 14,000 since the last quarter.
Sam Windett, ERSA’s Head of Policy and Communications, said:
“ERSA welcomes the latest ONS stats published today, with the unemployment rate falling to 4.3%. These figures are due to the hard work of jobseekers, employers and frontline employment support providers who help people into work every day.”
“However, despite this good news, youth unemployment has risen and a youth employment gap remains. The government must do more to help young people, who lack a coherent UK-wide offer of specialist support to enter the workplace. This must be addressed as a priority if we are to build a productive and inclusive labour market for the future.”
