Employment rate rises slightly, but temp billings still falling

The usage of temporary agency workers is continuing to fall as employment levels rise slightly.

Figures from the REC and KMPG Report on Jobs shows a drop in temporary billings in April. Although the fall is only slight, the rate of contraction was the fastest in almost three years.

Experts had predicted the ONS unemployment figures would show no change in the jobless levels, however the rate fell by one percentage point to 8.2%. The number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance also fell in April.

The number of people in work increased by 105,000 to almost 30 million, but this wasn’t due to people finding full-time work.

The data shows that nearly 8 million people are now in a part-time job, the highest since records began in 1992, while those working part-time because they cannot find full-time work increased by 73,000 to 1.4 million – a record high.

Although mixed, the figures are a welcome sign, especially after recent data showed the UK has slipped back into recession. Employment Minister Chris Grayling welcomed the figures, calling them a “welcome step in the right direction”.