Employment in the East of England at 'near record high'
The number of people in work in the East is now at around 3.1 million - a rise of 84,000 on last year
Last updated 18th Jan 2022
The number of people in employment in the East of England is now at a near record high, with more than 3.1 million people in work across the region
It means 84,000 more people are now in work across the East, compared to last year.
It means our region has the highest number of people in work in the entire UK, with 79.4% of people aged between 16 and 64 in employment.
The number of people unemployed is at a near record low of 88,000, down 29,000 on the quarter and down 58,000 on the year.
In Essex 140,000 people are claiming Universal Credit; 56,000 are claiming support in Suffolk, 44,000 in Norfolk.
Julia Nix, the East of England District Manager for the Department for Work and Pensions, said:
"Jobcentre Plus are continuing to support employers with their recruitment, particularly in sectors that have been hardest hit by the pandemic."
"The UK labour market has never been so buoyant and our role is to support customers to get back in to work as quickly as possible.
"The new temporary jobcentres are up and running which creates extra safe spaces for additional work coaches to offer jobseekers individual support and therefore we encourage those who are looking for work to contact their local Jobcentre."
It comes as many employers are now reporting that they're stuggling to fill vacancies. The care, transport and hospitality sectors are said to be especially badly affected.