THE number of UK workers on payrolls has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.
New figures show 241,000 were added in August, meaning that 29.1 million are now on company books.
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It’s the biggest jump in employment since 2014 and brings the number of payrolled employees to the highest since February 2020, just before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Unemployment in the UK has dropped again as thousands more people got back into work.
The rate of unemployment is 4.6% for August, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows.
Last month figures showed the rate was higher at 4.7% and the number of job vacancies surged past 1million as the country was lifted out of lockdown.
It comes just weeks before the furlough scheme comes to an end on 30 September.
Almost 2 million are still on the government’s flagship wage support scheme.
Jonathan Athow, ONS deputy national statistician for economic statistics, said: “Early estimates from payroll data suggest that in August the total number of employees is around the same level as before the pandemic, though our surveys show well over a million are still on furlough.
“However, this recovery isn’t even: in hard-hit areas such as London and sectors such as hospitality and arts and leisure the numbers of workers remain well down on pre-pandemic levels.
“The overall employment rate continues to recover, particularly among groups such as young workers who were hard hit at the outset of the pandemic, while unemployment has fallen.
Vacancies also reached a new record high, driven by hospitality he said, with the sector having the highest proportion hard to fill jobs.
Pubs, bars and restaurants have struggled to hire staff, and the so-called pingdemic also created shortages over summer as workers had to self-isolate.
Employment minister Mims Davies said: “As we continue to push ahead with our recovery, it’s great to see another significant fall in unemployment and the number of people on payrolls rising by 241,000 in August – the biggest monthly increase on record – showing our Plan for Jobs is working.
“We’re helping employers recruit for the record number of vacancies out there, particularly in growing sectors, and supporting people of all ages and backgrounds to overcome barriers, land their next role, and progress in work.”
Figures released last week showed the UK’s bounce back slowed in July, despite the lifting of all restrictions on ‘Freedom Day’.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will today announce plans to keeping the virus at bay over winter.
He’s refused to rule out a further lockdown altogether – warning: “We’ve got to do everything that’s right to protect the country.”
Major financial support through the Covid pandemic is due to come to an end this month, including Furlough and the Universal Credit £20-a-week-uplift, which could leave hard-up Brits struggling.
Boris Johnson ‘very confident’ no winter lockdown will be needed – but doesn’t rule one out
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