Unemployment

Average earnings increased by 3.4% in the year to January, down by 0.1% on the previous month but still outpacing inflation.

Average earnings increased by 3.4% in the year to December, the highest for a decade, outpacing inflation.

Employment increased by 79,000 in the three months to October to 32.4 million, the highest since records began in 1971.

The latest statistics also reveal a record number of people working.

32.4 million people are now in work, according to ONS figures.

Job vacancies increased by 20,000 to a record high of 829,000, while average earnings increased by 2.4% in the year to June.

Employment increased by 137,000 in the quarter to May to 32.4 million, the highest since records began in 1971, new figures show.

Employment increased by 197,000 in the quarter to March to the highest figure since records began in 1971, giving a record rate of 75.6%.

The employment rate has reached record levels - but wages are increasing below inflation, leaving many households struggling.

Noreena Hertz Former Economics Editor

How can companies keep recruiting the right people when so many are already in work?