Summary of Labour Market Statistics, January 2013

Chart 1: Changes in number of people in the labour market between September to November 2007 and September to November 2012, seasonally adjusted

Source: Labour Force Survey - Office for National Statistics

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Between September to November 2007 and September to November 2012:

• the number of people working full-time fell by 341,000,

• the number of people working part-time increased by 660,000,

• the number of unemployed people looking for work and able to work increased by 854,000, and

• the number of people not in work aged between 16 and 64 who were either not looking for work or not able to work fell by 75,000.

Between June to August 2012 and September to November 2012:

• the number of people working full-time increased by 113,000 to reach 21.57 million,

• the number of people working part-time fell by 23,000 to reach 8.11 million

• the number of unemployed people looking for work and able to work fell by 37,000 to reach 2.49 million, and

• the number of people not in work aged between 16 and 64 who were either not looking for work or not able to work fell by 13,000 to reach 9.03 million.

Compared with a year earlier, the total number of people in work increased by 552,000, the biggest annual increase since 1989. Looking in more detail at this annual rise in the number of people in work: 

• the number of men working full-time increased by 237,000,

• the number of men working part-time increased by 95,000,

• the number of women working full-time increased by 77,000, and

• the number of women working part-time increased by 144,000. 

Chart 2: Changes in number of people in employment between September to November 2011 and September to November 2012, seasonally adjusted

Source: Labour Force Survey - Office for National Statistics

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Between June to August 2012 and September to November 2012 the number of unemployed men out of work and looking for a job fell by 37,000 to reach 1.41 million, but the number of unemployed women was unchanged at 1.08 million. Compared with a year earlier:

• the number of unemployed men fell by 140,000, and

• the number of unemployed women fell by 45,000.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) fell by 12,100 between November and December 2012 to reach 1.56 million. There were over 1 million men claiming JSA but the number of women claimants was much lower at 537,900. Many unemployed women cannot claim JSA as their partners are in work.

Source: Office for National Statistics

Background notes

1. Further information is available in the Statistical Bulletin and the data tables.

2. Details of the policy governing the release of new data are available by visiting www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/assessment/code-of-practice/index.html or from the Media Relations Office email: media.relations@ons.gsi.gov.uk

   The United Kingdom Statistics Authority has designated these statistics as National Statistics, in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.

   Designation can be broadly interpreted to mean that the statistics:

   • meet identified user needs;
   • are well explained and readily accessible;
   • are produced according to sound methods; and
   • are managed impartially and objectively in the public interest.

   Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is a statutory requirement that the Code of Practice shall continue to be observed.