Record high for UK employment

The number of people currently in a job has reached a new high since records began in 1971, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

In the last quarter of 2007 there were 74.7% of people of working age in a job, a 0.3% increase on the previous quarter to reach a total of 29.4 million.

In addition, ONS figures revealed a growth in the number of job vacancies and average earnings; however, bonuses were down slightly.

'There were 677,400 job vacancies for the three months to January 2008, up 7,300 over the previous quarter and up 72,000 over the year,' the ONS stated.

There has been a fall in hours spent working and also in the number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance.

Employment Minister, Stephen Timms, said: 'These figures show we continue to have a strong and stable labour market, with both record numbers in employment and the lowest claimant count for 32 years.'