Part-time workers hits record levels in the UK

2010-07-14 62


The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says while the UK jobless rate is down the number of part time workers has reached record levels.


According to the lates official figures the number of job seekers fell by 34,000 in the three months to May - that's 2.7 million unemployed.


But while it shows that less people are out of work many are struggling to find employers who can offer full-time hours in the recession.


The ONS says the number of part-time workers has reached it highest levels since records began in 1992 with a 148,000 rise.


The figures did show the biggest quarterly rise in employment since August 2006, but this has been put down to the rise in part-time employees, casting a shadow over hopes that the jobs market is recovering.


There was a fifth consecutive fall in those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in June but figures could rise with up to 600,000 public sector jobs predicted to be lost over the next five years.


Job seekers looking for work saw the biggest rise of vacancies in retailing and motor repairs in the three months to June with a sharp rise in job offers.


Figures also showed people who fall into the "long term sick" category reached it's highest level since March 2007, hitting 2.04 million.