According to the ONS there were 862,000 job vacancies between April-June
The UK unemployment rate fell in the past quarter as the continued easing of lockdown restrictions is helping to bring on an economic recovery.
The unemployment rate fell by 0.2% between March and May to 4.8%, while the rate of employment increased over the same time period to 74.8%.
Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of job vacancies, as companies in the UK seek to manage the increased demand brought about by the economy reopening.
Vacancies are now back to levels last seen before the pandemic. According to the ONS, there were 862,000 job vacancies between April-June.
It is just under a 10% increase fro myths previous quarter.
“As we approach the final stages of reopening the economy, I look forward to seeing more people back at work and the economy continuing to rebound,” said chancellor Rishi Sunak.
“We are bouncing back – the number of employees on payrolls is at its highest level since last April and the number of people on furlough halved in the three months to May.”
“Vacancies exceeding pre-COVID levels is a further sign of demand returning and employers creating jobs,” Matthew Percival, director for people and skills at CBI, told Sky News.
“Yet businesses’ ability to meet this demand, and support the recovery, is being challenged by staff shortages. As COVID cases rise, firms are facing the double difficulty of hiring workers and more employees self-isolating,” Percival added.
While the figures show a positive reflection of how the UK economy has recovered so far, eyes will now be on the continued progress or lack thereof.