The latest figures from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the unemployment total is at its lowest since 2006.While the number in work has also fallen slightly from its record high, the unemployment total of 1.6 million in the quarter to November 2016 was 52,000 lower than in the previous three months and the lowest tally since 2006.The latest figure represents an unemployment rate of 4.8 per cent, one of the lowest in Europe.Meanwhile, the number in work fell by 9,000 to 31.8 million, although the employment rate of 74.5 per cent represents the joint highest level on record.

Figures ‘encouraging’

In the year to November, average earnings rose by 2.8 per cent, 0.2 per cent higher than the annual rate in October and well ahead of the inflation rate of 1.6 per cent, while the number of officially recorded vacancies was marginally down, at 748,000.The total classed as economically inactive – which includes students, family carers and those on long-term sick leave – increased by 85,000 over the quarter to almost 8.9 million.David Freeman, senior statistician at the ONS, said, “While employment is little changed on the quarter, the rate remains at an historic high. The rate at which pay is increasing continues to pick up in cash terms, though it remains moderate.”Employment Minister Damian Hinds said, “We start the new year with another encouraging set of figures. Employment continues to run at a near-record high, unemployment remains at an 11-year low, and both figures are stronger than this time last year, highlighting the strength and resilience of our labour market as we step up to the challenges of 2017.“We have made real progress creating a strong economy and helping more people into work, and will do what is needed to continue that trajectory as we build a country that works for everyone.”

Strong growth in science, engineering and tech jobs predicted

Publication of the data coincided with the release of a think-tank report saying that science, research, engineering and technology jobs in the UK were set to grow at double the rate of other occupations.The Social Market Foundation research found these professions were likely to create 142,000 new jobs over the coming years, although the report warned that there was the prospect of a shortage of graduates and apprentices to fill them.Commissioned by French energy giant EDF, the report said more should be done to encourage girls and young women into jobs in engineering and technology.Nida Broughton, chief economist at the Social Market Foundation, said, “Investment in infrastructure and the pace of technological innovation means growth in science, research, engineering and technology careers will continue to outpace other occupations.“That’s a big opportunity for today’s girls and a challenge for the UK’s industrial strategy. It’s essential that we invest in the skills and training so that the UK can meet this demand, and encouraging more women to consider science will be critical to our success.”

Filling STEM skills gaps

Reacting to the report, a Department for Education spokesman said, “We want to raise standards of achievement and participation in STEM subjects to ensure our future workforce has the skills to drive the future productivity and economy of this country.“We agree that getting more girls into STEM subjects can play a part in this, and we are taking steps to make this happen.”In other news, Deliveroo, the company that administers deliveries for 20,000 British restaurants, has announced that it is creating more than 300 new jobs in a bid to create one of the largest technology hubs in the UK.The “high-skilled, high-tech jobs” are being created by the company ahead of a summer move to its new London headquarters at Cannon Street.In the Winter 2016/17 issue of Relocate magazine, we look at how the UK's space sector is planning ahead to meet future science and engineering skills needs and how car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover is securing a sustainable future by investing in the next generation of engineers and technologies.For more news and features about enterprise, visit our Enterprise section.Access hundreds of global services and suppliers in our Online Directory  Get access to our free Global Mobility Toolkit

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