|
New employment figures have shown a significant rise in the number of people working in part time jobs in the UK.
The latest set of statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a total increase in the number of people in employment of 53,000 to 28.93 million for the August through October period. The majority of that increase was due to the number of new part time jobs being filled. Job vacancies also rose by 1,000 in the quarter to 432,000.
The ONS figures have boosted optimism that the worst may be over for the job market after the worst recession Britain has faced since the Second World War. Some economists are now hopeful that unemployment will not reach the gloomy 3 million mark that others forecast earlier in the year.
Other economists point to more people - and especially women – working in part time jobs and agreeing to a reduction in the number of hours they work in regular jobs.
The ONS figures also suggested that there may be some respite due for young jobless people as, although the number of 16 and 17 year olds rose by 20 thousand, that was compensated for with a 26 thousand fall for those aged 18 to 24.
The Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform, Jim Knight, has also said that 2,800 more jobs will be created for young people who are out of work, bringing the total figure of jobs created by the Future Jobs Fund to almost one hundred thousand.
The Work and Pensions Secretary, Yvette Cooper, however, cautioned that, “It is still tough for a lot of people and we still expect unemployment to increase again in the New Year. So we are determined to do more, supporting a total of 400,000 extra youth opportunities over the next 18 months.’’
E4S have hundred of opportunities for work on our website – full time jobs, temporary jobs, internships and part time jobs. Have a browse now and see if you can help to improve the ONS job figures for next month!
|
