30.80 million people are in work across the UK, latest ONS figures can reveal

The UK employment rate – the proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 in work – has reached 73.0%, higher than for May to July 2014 (72.8%) and higher than for a year earlier (71.8%), the latest figures released by the ONS (The Office for National Statistics) were able to reveal.

The statistical data suggests that, comparing the estimates for August to October 2014 with those for May to July 2014, employment continued to rise and unemployment continued to fall. These changes maintain the general direction of movement since late 2011/early 2012.

The Official for National Statistics revealed that there were 30.80 million people in work, 115,000 more than for May to July 2014 and 588,000 more than for a year earlier. There were 22.54 million people working full-time, 560,000 more than for a year earlier and also 8.25 million people working part-time, 28,000 more than for a year earlier.

Over the same period, there were 1.96 million unemployed people, 63,000 fewer than for May to July 2014, the smallest quarterly fall since July to September 2013. Comparing August to October 2014 with a year earlier, there were 455,000 fewer unemployed people.

The unemployment rate was 6.0%, lower than for May to July 2014 (6.2%) and lower than for a year earlier (7.4%). The unemployment rate is the proportion of the economically active population (those in work plus those seeking and available to work) who were unemployed.

There were 9.06 million people aged from 16 to 64 who were out of work and not seeking or available to work (known as economically inactive). This was little changed compared with May to July 2014 and with a year earlier.

Comparing August to October 2014 with a year earlier, pay for employees in Great Britain increased by 1.4% including bonuses and by 1.6% excluding bonuses.

Work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan-Smith welcomed the figures and highlighted the fact that “two-thirds of the jobs created have been managerial and professional”.

In a tweet, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Employment is at a record high & average earnings are rising faster than inflation. More to do, but our long term economic plan is working.”