1. Other pages in this release
Other commentary from the latest labour market data can be found on the following pages:
- Labour market overview
- Average weekly earnings in Great Britain
- Vacancies and jobs in the UK
- Labour market in the regions of the UK
- Earnings and employment from Pay As You Earn Real Time Information, UK
Reweighting
Labour Force Survey (LFS) responses published from 15 July 2021 have been reweighted to new populations using growth rates from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Real Time Information (RTI), to allow for different trends during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The reweighting gives improved estimates of both rates and levels.
Nôl i'r tabl cynnwys2. Main points
April to June 2021 estimates show quarterly decreases in the unemployment and economic inactivity rates, while the employment rate increased.
Total hours worked increased on the quarter with the relaxation of many coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.
The UK employment rate was estimated at 75.1%, 1.5 percentage points lower than before the pandemic (December 2019 to February 2020), but 0.3 percentage points higher than the previous quarter (January to March 2021).
The UK unemployment rate was estimated at 4.7%, 0.8 percentage points higher than before the pandemic, but 0.2 percentage points lower than the previous quarter.
The UK economic inactivity rate was estimated at 21.1%, 0.9 percentage points higher than before the pandemic, but 0.2 percentage points lower than the previous quarter.
4. Summary
Level/Rate | Change on quarter | Change on year | Change since December 2019 to February 2020 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Employment (000s, aged 16+) | 32,276 | +95 | -329 | -797 |
Employment rate (aged 16 to 64) | 75.1% | +0.3pp | -0.7pp | -1.5pp |
Unemployment (000s, aged 16+) | 1,600 | -53 | +193 | +236 |
Unemployment rate (aged 16+) | 4.7% | -0.2pp | +0.6pp | +0.8pp |
Economically inactive (000s, aged 16 to 64) | 8,727 | -96 | +82 | +357 |
Economic inactivity rate (aged 16 to 64) | 21.1% | -0.2pp | +0.2pp | +0.9pp |
Total weekly hours (millions) | 1,001.3 | +50.9 | +156 | -50.9 |
Redundancies (000s, aged 16+) | 99 | -52 | -35 | -8 |
Redundancy rate (per thousand, aged 16+) | 3.6 | -1.9 | -1.3 | -0.3 |
Download this table Table 1: April to June 2021 headline measures and changes
.xls .csvFigure 1: April to June 2021 estimates show a quarterly decrease in the unemployment rate and the economic inactivity rate, while the employment rate increased
UK employment, unemployment and economic inactivity rates, seasonally adjusted, between April to June 2006 and April to June 2021
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Part of the increase in employment and fall in unemployment was because the quarterly net flow from unemployment to employment increased to a record high (Figure 2).
Figure 2: There was a record high net flow of 299,000 from unemployment to employment
UK flows between employment, unemployment and economic inactivity (seasonally adjusted), between January to March 2021 and April to June 2021
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During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there was a decrease in the employment rate and an increase in the economic inactivity rate for both men and women. In both cases, the largest change was seen for men. For the unemployment rate, the size of the increase was similar for both men and women (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Following large falls over the pandemic, the employment rates for men and women show some initial recovery
UK economic status rates by sex, seasonally adjusted, cumulative change from December 2019 to February 2020, for each period up to April to June 2021
Source: Office for National Statistics - Labour Force Survey
Download this chart Figure 3: Following large falls over the pandemic, the employment rates for men and women show some initial recovery
Image .csv .xlsYoung people (those aged 16 to 24 years) have been particularly affected by the pandemic, with the employment rate decreasing and the unemployment and economic inactivity rates increasing by more than seen for those aged 25 years and over. Over the last quarter, however, there was a stronger increase in the employment rate and a decrease in the unemployment and inactivity rates for young people (Figure 4).
Figure 4: The employment rate for young people (those aged 16 to 24 years) has increased on the quarter
UK economic status rates by age (people aged 16 to 24 years and 25 years and over), seasonally adjusted, cumulative change from December 2019 to February 2020, for each period up to April to June 2021
Source: Office for National Statistics – Labour Force Survey
Download this chart Figure 4: The employment rate for young people (those aged 16 to 24 years) has increased on the quarter
Image .csv .xls5. Employment
Following an increase in the employment rate since early 2012, the rate has decreased since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in December 2019 to February 2020; however, there has been an increase since the end of 2020.
The quarterly increase in employment was mainly driven by an increase in the number of full-time workers, which reached its highest level since before the start of the pandemic. While the number of people working part-time has decreased during the pandemic, in April to June 2021 there was the first quarterly increase in people working part-time since February to April 2020 (Figure 5).
Figure 5: Part-time workers have seen the first quarterly increase since early in the pandemic
UK employment by full-time and part-time workers (aged 16 and over), seasonally adjusted, cumulative change from April to June 2016, for each period up to April to June 2021
Source: Office for National Statistics – Labour Force Survey
Download this chart Figure 5: Part-time workers have seen the first quarterly increase since early in the pandemic
Image .csv .xlsHours worked
Total actual weekly hours worked in the UK increased by 50.9 million hours from the previous quarter, to 1.00 billion hours in April to June 2021 (Figure 6). This coincided with the relaxing of coronavirus lockdown measures, which had stalled the recent recovery in total hours. However, this is still 4.8% below pre-pandemic levels (December 2019 to February 2020).
Figure 6: Total actual weekly hours worked increased on the quarter, reflecting the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions
UK total actual weekly hours worked (people aged 16 years and over), seasonally adjusted, between April to June 2006 and April to June 2021
Source: Office for National Statistics - Labour Force Survey
Download this chart Figure 6: Total actual weekly hours worked increased on the quarter, reflecting the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions
Image .csv .xlsImputation used for the Labour Force Survey was not designed to deal with the changes experienced in the labour market in recent months. Experimental work with adjusted methodology suggests that the existing methodology is understating the full increase in total hours, with the experimental methodology now suggesting the actual number of hours worked is approximately 1.2% higher than stated.
Nôl i'r tabl cynnwys6. Unemployment
The unemployment rate had generally been falling since late 2013 up until the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in December 2019 to February 2020. It has increased since then but has fallen since the end of 2020.
Figure 7: The number of people who were unemployed for up to 12 months decreased on the quarter
UK unemployment by duration (aged 16 years and over), seasonally adjusted, between April to June 2016 and April to June 2021
Source: Office for National Statistics - Labour Force Survey
Download this chart Figure 7: The number of people who were unemployed for up to 12 months decreased on the quarter
Image .csv .xlsThe quarterly decrease in unemployment was driven by those unemployed for up to 12 months. Quarterly decreases in those unemployed for up to 6 months have slowed in the latest period while those unemployed for between 6 and 12 months have decreased from the peak reached in the previous quarter (January to March 2021). Meanwhile, those in long-term unemployment (unemployed for over 12 months) continued to increase on the quarter (Figure 7).
Nôl i'r tabl cynnwys7. Economic inactivity
Since comparable records began in 1971, the economic inactivity rate has generally been falling; however, it has increased during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Figure 8: Following increases during the pandemic, the number of people who are economically inactive because they are students or because of "other" reasons has fallen slightly
UK economically inactive by reason (people aged 16 to 64 years), seasonally adjusted, April to June 2016 to April to June 2021
Source: Office for National Statistics – Labour Force Survey
Notes:
- Discouraged workers are those who are not looking for work because they believe no jobs are available.
- Other reasons for being economically inactive include those who are waiting for the results of a job application; have not yet started looking for work; do not need or want employment; have given an uncategorised reason for being economically inactive; or have not given a reason for being economically inactive.
Download this chart Figure 8: Following increases during the pandemic, the number of people who are economically inactive because they are students or because of "other" reasons has fallen slightly
Image .csv .xlsIn terms of reasons for economic inactivity (Figure 8), the increase since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (December 2019 to February 2020) was largely driven by:
those who are economically inactive because they are students, although this has decreased slightly in the latest period
those who are economically inactive because of "other" reasons, although this has decreased slightly since early 2021
This increase was offset somewhat by the large decrease in people who were economically inactive because they were looking after family or home.
Nôl i'r tabl cynnwys8. Redundancies
In April to June 2021, reports of redundancies in the three months prior to interview decreased by 1.9 per thousand employees on the quarter to 3.6 per thousand employees (Figure 9), similar to pre- coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic levels.
Figure 9: The redundancy rate has returned to pre-pandemic levels
UK redundancy rate¹, people aged 16 years and over (not seasonally adjusted), between April to June 2006 and April to June 2021
Source: Office for National Statistics – Labour Force Survey
Notes:
- Redundancy rate is the ratio of the redundancy level to the number of employees in the previous quarter, multiplied by 1,000.
Download this chart Figure 9: The redundancy rate has returned to pre-pandemic levels
Image .csv .xls9. Employment in the UK data
Employment, unemployment and economic inactivity
Dataset A05 SA | Released 17 August 2021
Estimates of UK employment, unemployment and economic inactivity broken down into age bands.
Full-time, part-time and temporary workers
Dataset EMP01 SA | Released 17 August 2021
Estimates of UK employment including a breakdown by sex, type of employment, and full-time and part-time working.
Actual weekly hours worked
Dataset HOUR01 SA | Released 17 August 2021
Estimates for the hours that people in employment work in the UK.
Unemployment by age and duration
Dataset UNEM01 SA | Released 17 August 2021
Estimates of unemployment in the UK including a breakdown by sex, age group and the length of time people are unemployed.
Economic inactivity by reason
Dataset INAC01 SA | Released 17 August 2021
Estimates of those not in the UK labour force measured by the reasons given for economic inactivity.
Labour Force Survey sampling variability
Dataset A11 | Released 17 August 2021
Labour Force Survey (LFS) sampling variability (95% confidence intervals).
Labour Force Survey single month estimates
Dataset X01 | Released 17 August 2021
Labour Force Survey (LFS) single-month estimates of employment, unemployment and economic inactivity have been published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) since 2004. Not designated as National Statistics.
Labour Force Survey weekly estimates
Dataset X07 | Released 17 August 2021
Labour Force Survey (LFS) weekly estimates of employment, unemployment, economic inactivity and hours in the UK. All estimates are calculated from highly experimental weekly Labour Force Survey datasets.
10. Glossary
Actual and usual hours worked
Statistics for usual hours worked measure how many hours people usually work per week. Compared with actual hours worked, they are not affected by absences and so can provide a better measure of normal working patterns. For example, a person who usually works 37 hours a week but who was on holiday for a week would be recorded as working zero actual hours for that week, while usual hours would be recorded as 37 hours.
Workers temporarily absent from a job as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic would still be classed as employed; however, they would be employed working no hours. This has directly affected estimates of total actual hours worked during the pandemic. Since the average actual weekly hours are the average of all in employment, those temporarily absent from a job also affected these estimates.
Economic inactivity
People not in the labour force (also known as economically inactive) are not in employment but do not meet the internationally accepted definition of unemployment because they have not been seeking work within the last four weeks and/or are unable to start work in the next two weeks. The economic inactivity rate is the proportion of people aged between 16 and 64 years who are not in the labour force.
Employment
Employment measures the number of people in paid work or who had a job that they were temporarily away from (for example, because they were on holiday or off sick). This differs from the number of jobs because some people have more than one job. The employment rate is the proportion of people aged between 16 and 64 years who are in employment.
Workers furloughed under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme or those who are self-employed but temporarily not in work, have a reasonable expectation of returning to their jobs after a temporary period of absence. Therefore, they are classified as employed under the International Labour Organization definition.
A more detailed explanation is available in our guide to labour market statistics.
Redundancies
The redundancy estimates measure the number of people who were made redundant or who took voluntary redundancy in the three months before the Labour Force Survey interviews; it does not take into consideration planned redundancies.
Unemployment
Unemployment measures people without a job who have been actively seeking work within the last four weeks and are available to start work within the next two weeks. The unemployment rate is not the proportion of the total population who are unemployed. It is the proportion of the economically active population (that is, those in work plus those seeking and available to work) who are unemployed.
A more detailed glossary is available.
Nôl i'r tabl cynnwys11. Measuring the data
This bulletin relies on data collected from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), the largest household survey in the UK.
More quality and methodology information on strengths, limitations, appropriate uses, and how the data were created is available in the LFS Quality and Methodology Information (QMI) report.
The LFS performance and quality monitoring reports provide data on response rates and other quality-related issues for the LFS.
Reweighting
Labour Force Survey (LFS) responses published from 15July 2021 have been reweighted to new populations using growth rates from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Real Time Information (RTI), to allow for different trends during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The reweighting gives improved estimates of both rates and levels.
Coronavirus
View more information on how labour market data sources are affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, published on 6 May 2020.
View a comparison of our labour market data sources and the main differences.
Nôl i'r tabl cynnwys12. Strengths and limitations
Uncertainty in these data
The estimates presented in this bulletin contain uncertainty.
The figures in this bulletin come from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), which gathers information from a sample of households across the UK rather than from the whole population. The sample is designed to be as accurate as possible given practical limitations. Results from sample surveys are always estimates, not precise figures. This can have an impact on how changes in the estimates should be interpreted, especially for short-term comparisons.
The data in this bulletin come from the Labour Force Survey, a survey of households. It is not practical to survey every household each quarter, so these statistics are estimates based on a large sample.
As the number of people available in the sample gets smaller, the variability of the estimates that we can make from that sample size gets larger. Estimates for small groups (for example, unemployed people aged between 16 and 17 years), which are based on small subsets of the LFS sample, are less reliable and tend to be more volatile than for larger aggregated groups.
In general, changes in the numbers (and especially the rates) reported in this bulletin between three-month periods are small and are not usually greater than the level that can be explained by sampling variability. Short-term movements in reported rates should be considered alongside longer-term patterns in the series and corresponding movements in other sources to give a fuller picture.
Information on the quality of estimates is available in our Labour Force Survey sampling variability table.
Comparability
The data in this bulletin follow internationally accepted definitions specified by the International Labour Organization (ILO). This ensures that the estimates for the UK are comparable with those for other countries.
The annual reconciliation report of job estimates article, which compares the latest workforce jobs series estimates with the equivalent estimates of jobs from the LFS and is usually published every March, has been postponed until we are able to take the latest adjustments to the LFS into account.
Further information is available in A guide to labour market statistics
Nôl i'r tabl cynnwys