Recruitment trends: ONS report lowest unemployment rate since 1975

Figures from the Office for National Statistics Latest report (17 May), have revealed:

“The proportion of 16 to 64-year-olds in work, was 74.8%, while the number of people unemployed fell by 53,000 to 1.54m in the three months to March 2017.”

“The unemployment rate was 4.6%, down from 5.1% for a year earlier and the lowest since 1975. There were 1.54 million unemployed people during this period, 152,000 fewer than for a year earlier.”

“Self-employment decreased slightly last quarter, but year-on-year the 381,000 increase in the UK workforce includes 82,000 self-employed, which is 21.5% of the increase in people working.”

“Average weekly earnings for employees in the UK in nominal terms increased by 2.4% including bonuses, and by 2.1% excluding bonuses, compared with a year earlier.”

“Average weekly earnings for employees in the UK in real terms increased by 0.1% including bonuses, but fell by 0.2% excluding bonuses, compared with a year earlier.”

“The number of temporary employees fell by 1.9% to a total of 1.53 million when compared to the same period a year ago”

Following these statistics, Robert Bond, Director at Bond Williams says:

    “The increase we have seen in job-seekers successfully placed into new roles compared to a year ago shows a growing demand from local employers for new employees to support their business plans for 2017, and the quality of candidates that employers are looking for still remains as high. Companies are no longer focused on just providing a good salary, recognising that employees value brand, flexibility, benefits, and opportunities to progress and shape a successful career is just as important for attracting and retaining the best talent around.”

Our Consultants at Bond Williams would be delighted to help with your next vacancy. Please contact us on 01202 233777 or info@bondwilliams.co.uk for more information.