A programme supporting families with complex problems has reduced the proportion of children going into care, adults claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance and juvenile convictions.
The UK’s record jobs market continued into 2019 with 473,000 more people in work in January compared to a year ago, while the UK’s employment rate reached an all-time high of 76.1%.
New figures show that wages continued to outstrip inflation for 12 months in a row.
Minister of State for Employment Alok Sharma welcomed the figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which also showed unemployment falling below 4% for the first time since the mid-1970’s.
Companies are driving the growth, with private sector employment up by 3.8 million since 2010. The figures also revealed a higher rate of women in work than ever before.
Minister of State for Employment Alok Sharma said:
Today’s employment figures are further evidence of the strong economy the Chancellor detailed in last week’s spring statement, showing how our pro-business policies are delivering record employment.
2019 has continued to be a record breaker, with the employment rate topping 76% for the first time, record female employment and unemployment falling below 4% for the first time in 44 years.
Our jobs market remains resilient as we see more people than ever before benefitting from earning a wage. By backing the government’s Brexit deal and giving certainty to business, MPs have the chance to safeguard this jobs track record.
The government is helping even more people benefit from a well-paid job by:
backing businesses to create good jobs with our modern Industrial Strategy, while ensuring they play by the rules, so we are closing tax loopholes, strengthening workers’ rights, and tightening the rules big businesses must follow
investing in the infrastructure, training and apprenticeships we need for our future, with public investment at the highest sustained level in 40 years
introducing Universal Credit which is helping people move into work faster and stay in it longer, while recent Budget measures mean 2.4 million families will keep up to an extra £630 per year of what they earn
helping people stay in work longer with our Fuller Working Lives strategy, which supports employers to recruit, re-train and retain older workers
tackling inequalities in employment highlighted by the Race Disparity Audit, through targeted support in 20 areas around the country and £90 million announced by the Prime Minister to help young people.
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The UK’s record jobs market continued into 2019.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has today (19 March) set out detail on the preparations underway to ensure a continued supply of veterinary medicines in a no deal scenario.
Leaving the EU with a deal remains the government’s top priority. This has not changed. However, a responsible government must plan for every eventuality, including a no deal scenario.
The VMD and the pharmaceutical industry already have well-established procedures to deal with medicine shortages, working closely with those operating in the supply chain to ensure that risks are minimised when they do arise.
The government has also put in place a multi-layered approach to support the industry to reduce any supply disruption in veterinary medicines. These plans include:
Securing additional space for veterinary medicines on government-procured ferries. This gives suppliers the option to use alternative ferry routes avoiding the Dover-Calais (short strait) crossing where there is potential risk of significant disruption. This additional space has been secured as veterinary medicines have been classed as critical goods, essential for the preservation of animal welfare.
Minimising changes to, or providing clarifications of, regulatory requirements so companies can continue to sell their products in the UK in a no deal scenario.
Strengthening the established processes and resources used to deal with shortages in the event that they do occur. This includes extending the VMD’s industry supply reporting system in order to understand the reasons for potential supply issues and take appropriate action.
Permitting the use of medicines authorised in other countries which can be imported through the VMD’s Special Import scheme.
Working with the VMD, trade bodies and animal health companies have also already been carrying out contingency planning. These include maintaining sensible levels of stock in the UK and changing supply routes
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