More people in work than ever before

More people are employed than ever before

More people are now in work than ever before, according to new figures.

Employment in the north west is at a record high of 75%, according to statistics from the Labour Market.

Currently 3.48 million people are in work in the region, up by 51,000 on the previous quarter, with unemployment having nearly halved since 2010.

The unemployment rate in the north west is at a record low of just 4%, lower than the national average of 4.1%.

Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry MP for Rossendale, said: “Our Northern Powerhouse strategy puts creating more jobs and developing education at its core.

“Unemployment in the North West is down almost 50% since 2010, and the Government wants to do even more to boost the prosperity of local families as we leave the European Union, which is why we announced £20 million to pilot innovative new ways to boost skills in the region as part of the Budget.

“Working together with our partners, we are continuing to deliver for the people of the North West, and across the North.”

New figures also show more than half of disabled people are now in work, outnumbering those who are workless, and three quarters of jobs created since 2010 are full-time permanent roles in higher skilled occupations.

In a further boost to the economy and consumer spending, wage growth outpaced inflation for an eighth month in a row, rising 0.9% in real terms (against CPIH inflation).

Regular pay before inflation grew at its fastest in almost a decade, 3.2%.