Thread by @ONS

Headline indicators for the UK labour market for February to April 2021 show

▪️ employment was at 75.2%
▪️ unemployment was at 4.7%
▪️ economic inactivity was at 21.0%

➡️ ow.ly/ErOi50FaoXh

Commenting on today’s labour market data, ONS head of economic statistics Sam Beckett said: (1/4)

Sam Beckett continued: (2/4)

Sam Beckett added: (3/4)

Sam Beckett concluded: (4/4)

The number of employees on payroll rose by 197,000 in May 2021.

This was still 553,000 fewer than before the pandemic (February 2020) ow.ly/IQG050Fap25

975.2 million hours were worked each week in February to April 2021.

This is an increase of 7.2 million hours on the previous three months, reflecting the relaxation of #COVID19 restrictions, but still below pre-pandemic levels ow.ly/Svpx50Fap3N

After allowing for inflation, average pay (whether including or excluding bonuses) was growing at an annual rate of 4.4% in February to April 2021.

This was impacted by some statistical factors, and the underlying picture suggests more modest pay rises ow.ly/n7sM50Fap5m

There were 758,000 job vacancies in March to May 2021, just below the pre-pandemic level.

However, most industries recovered to show vacancies above pre-pandemic levels - and sectors such as hospitality have seen strong rises ow.ly/b7y550Fap6W

There were 5.67 million public sector employees in March 2021.

This is an increase of 1.3% since December 2020 following rises throughout 2020 - partly due to the response of the National Health Service and the Civil Service to the #COVID19 pandemic ow.ly/4ghx50Fap86