The country’s economic inactivity rate of 21.9 per cent for May-July 2024 was above estimates of the year-ago period. It decreased across all age groups between 16 and 64, according to a release from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Between May and July, total actual weekly hours worked increased on the quarter to 1.06 billion hours, and they are above the level of the year-ago period. The increases were largely because of increases in women's working hours, although men's working hours also increased.

In May-July 2024, the number of those unemployed for up to 12 months decreased, dropping below levels of the year-ago period. Those unemployed for over 12 months also decreased in the quarter, but remained above estimates for the year-ago period.

Estimates for payrolled employees in the UK decreased by 6,000 (0 per cent) between June and July this year, but rose by 203,000 (0.7 per cent) between July 2023 and July 2024.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)