January Labour Market Statistics: Comment from the Institute for Employment Studies
18 Jan 2022
Commenting on today’s Labour Market Statistics, IES Director Tony Wilson said:
“Today’s jobs figures are disappointing. Despite record vacancies, employment is unchanged on the figures reported last month while economic inactivity appears to be rising. This is being driven in particular by fewer older people in the labour market, especially fewer older women, and more people out of work due to long-term ill health. With nearly as many vacancies as there are unemployed, employers are facing the tightest labour market in at least fifty years and these labour shortages are holding back our recovery. As each month passes these issues appear to be getting worse. So as we start the new year we need a new ‘Plan for Jobs’ that will raise participation and tackle the recruitment crisis."
Read the detailed IES Labour Market Statistics briefing note here