UK Labour Market: Unemployment continues to fall

This week’s ONS employment figures on the UK Labour Market – covering the period from November 2018 to January 2019 – continue the recent trend which sees unemployment continue to fall. Estimated at 3.9%, the UK unemployment rate has not been lower since November 1974 to January 1975.

Commenting on the latest statistics, Gi Group UK & Ireland’s CEO Bev White commented “This reinforces the challenge for recruiters and companies presented by the lack of available labour which is only enhanced by the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. At the recent Recruitment & Employment Confederation conference, a survey of its members was presented. One of the key suggestions arising was that the proposed threshold for Tier 2 visas (an absolute minimum salary of £20800) should be revised in light of the struggle organisations are facing to secure the workforce they require to meet customer demand.”

“If the economy continues to thrive in this fashion, would it be prudent to look at this threshold again, to ensure it reflects the needs of UK business?”

Read the full report here https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket