Sunak lauds ‘robust’ jobs market as wages lag behind inflation

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has praised the UK jobs market as “robust” following fresh employment figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS), released new figures showing that the number UK workers with pay-rolls rose by an additional 90,000. (0.3%) between April and May to 29.5 million.

Despite the fact that the unemployment rate increased from 3.7 percent to 3.8 percent during the same period it remained near its five-decade lows.

Unimpressive growth notwithstanding, the number of job vacancies reached a new high of 1.3 million.


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Sunak said this morning: “Today’s stats show our jobs market remains robust with redundancies at an all time low. It is the best way for families to support themselves over the long-term. We continue to support people to find better jobs.

“We are also providing immediate help with rising prices – 8 million of the most vulnerable families will receive at least £1,200 of direct payments this year, with all families receiving £400.”

Pay minus bonuses fell 3.4% year over year in April, adjusted for inflation.

This is the largest decline in records since 2001.

However across February and April real-terms pay plummeted to 2.2 per cent – the biggest dip since 2011, within the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash.

Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Christine Jardine, said the figures ought to be a “wake up call” for ministers.

She went on: “This must be a wake up call for the Government to slash taxes now. Millions of middle-class families are being pulled into financial ruin by Rishi Sunak’s record tax hikes, as well as spiraling inflation.

“This is now a cost-of-living emergency and the Government has no time to waste in cutting taxes. Every day of dither and delay heaps yet more pressure on household budgets.”