A Smooth Brexit That Delivers for the Economy and for People’s Jobs is Needed

 

Today’s labour market statistics published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the number of vacancies at 832,000 for July to September 2018, 35,000 more than for a year earlier, with little change compared with April to June 2018.

 

The unemployment rate was 4.0%; it has not been lower since December 1974 to February 1975. There were 1.36 million unemployed people,47,000 fewer than for March to May 2018 and 79,000 fewer than for a year earlier. There were 32.39 million people in work, 289,000 more than for a year earlier.

 

Latest estimates show that average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain in real terms (that is, adjusted for price inflation) increased by 0.7% excluding bonuses, and by 0.4% including bonuses, compared with a year earlier.

 

Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) chief executive, NeilCarberry commenting on ONS figures:

 

“The latest figures emphasise the strong performance ofthe UK’s flexible jobs market, with wages rising in real terms and near record rates of employment.

 

“But there is some evidence that progress has slowed as businesses enter a holding pattern ahead of any Brexit deal.

 

“What we need now is for the Government to take a pragmatic approach that delivers a smooth Brexit for the economy – and for people’s jobs. A transition period, and longer-term clarity and stability on terms of trade and mobility between the UK and the EU are essential to avoiding a bumpy landing.”

 

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors

 

1. For more information, contact the REC Press Office on 0207 009 2157/2192 or pressoffice@rec.uk.com. An ISDN line is available for interviews on 0207 021 0584.
2. Our model predicted the unemployment rate would remain at 4.0% and that there would be a fall in unemployment of 47,000 in the three months to August
   
3.  The unemployment rate (the number of unemployed people as a proportion ofall employed and unemployed people) was 4.0%; it has not been lower sinceDecember 1974 to February 1975. There were 1.36 million unemployed people(people not in work but seeking and available to work), 47,000 fewer than forMarch to May 2018 and 79,000 fewer than for a year earlier. The economicinactivity rate (the proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 years who wereeconomically inactive) was 21.2%, higher than for March to May 2018 (21.0%) butlower than for a year earlier (21.4%).

4. Full data and PDF available here: 

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/bulletins/uklabourmarket/october2018

5. Jobs transform lives, which is why we are building the best recruitment industry in the world. As the professional body for recruitment we’re determined to make businesses more successful by helping them secure the people they need. We are absolutely passionate and totally committed in this pursuit for recruiters, employers, and the people they hire. Find out more about the Recruitment & Employment Confederation at www.rec.uk.com