UK employment reaches record high of 30.9 million

UK unemployment has fallen by 97,000 to 1.86m in the three months to December.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that the rate of unemployment is now below 6 per cent and stands at 5.7 per cent.

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There are now 30.9m people in work.

The level of people in work is at a record of high of 73.2 per cent and average earnings including bonuses increased by 2.1 per cent in the quarter, compared with the previous year.

Commenting on the figures, Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

“These record figures show that the number of people in work in Britain today is at an all-time high. This is an extraordinary achievement which the Liberal Democrats in government have helped to deliver. It shows we were right to resist Tory plans to cut workers’ basic rights in order to get firms hiring. Those calls were unjustified and would have been greatly damaging.

“We have also cut long term unemployment by a quarter over the past year and those claiming unemployment benefits have fallen to their lowest levels since the financial crisis, creating a chance for everyone to get on in life.

“Many workers continue to see their weekly pay packet increase faster than inflation – meaning a real terms pay rise for millions of working families. We must now focus on seeing productivity rise, which means investing in long term skills to create a stronger economy through our industrial strategy.”

Lib Dems unveil five key priorites for next five years

The Liberal Democrats have unveiled their five main priorities until the next Parliament. The party believes that this five aims are the keys to achieving a stronger economy and a fairer society whilst creating opportunity for everyone.


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Prosperity for all 

Creating a stronger economy is about more than just clearing the deficit that’s why we will balance the budget fairly and invest in building a high skill low carbon economy. To build a strong, green, innovative economy we need to invest in upgrading our national infrastructure and producing the clean renewable energy that will power our future prosperity.

Fair taxes 

Creating a fairer society by cutting income tax by an additional £400 by raising the tax-free allowance to £12,500.

Quality healthcare for all

Creating a fairer society by properly funding our world class public services by investing in them as the economy grows. This means making sure the NHS has the extra £8bn a year it needs by 2020. Ending the stigma around mental health and putting it on equal footing with physical is vital to building a fairer society.

Opportunity for every child

Protecting the education budget from cradle to college, so that every child and young person has the opportunity to fulfill their potential, from nursery school to higher education. Giving children the best start in life by making sure there is a qualified teacher in every class.

Our environment protected

Protecting the environment so that future generations are not left paying for the mistakes of the generations before them. Fighting climate change with five Green Laws.