Today’s national statistics show that this Conservative Government is delivering economic security and building a society with real opportunity at its heart.
In Carshalton and Wallington, the claimant count fell to 610 in November 2015, 400 fewer than in November 2014, and 1306 fewer than in November 2010. In Sutton and Cheam, the claimant count fell to 620 in November 2015, 125 fewer than in November 2014, and 758 fewer than in November 2010.
Employment: Employment reached a new record high of 73.9% with over half a million more people in work than this time last year, up 207,000 this quarter.
Unemployment: The unemployment rate fell to 5.2%, its lowest rate since early 2006, with 244,000 fewer unemployed people than last year.
Youth unemployment: the unemployment rate for young people not in full time education is now 5.8%, the lowest on record.
Youth employment: 86% of 16-24 year olds are now in full-time study or work, the highest proportion on record.
Women: nearly a million more women in work than in 2010 with a record employment rate of 69.0%
Pay: Total pay continued to grow, up 2.4% in the last year.
Once again, this month’s release shows that we are delivering record-breaking employment figures, with full-time jobs driving the highest employment rate since records began in 1971. This means more than half a million more people will be enjoying Christmas this year with the security and hope for the future that a wage brings.
We will continue to build on this success and deliver the high-wage, low-welfare society that will put our economy on a strong and sustainable footing.
Next year, the introduction of the National Living Wage and our new offer of 30 hours of free childcare for working families will help support everyone who can work into employment. And as Universal Credit continues to roll out, more claimants will benefit from a welfare system that supports them into work faster and helps them earn more.