Office for National Statistics said the UK employment rate was estimated at 76.1%, higher than for a year earlier (75.6%) and the joint- highest figure on record. For men was 80.3%; slightly higher than for a year earlier (80.0%), for women was 71.8%, the joint-highest since comparable records began in 1971

The UK unemployment rate was estimated at 3.8%; it has not been lower since October to December 1974.

The UK economic inactivity rate was estimated at 20.8%, lower than for a year earlier (21.1%) and close to a record low.

Excluding bonuses, average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain were estimated to have increased by 3.3%, before adjusting for inflation, and by 1.5%, after adjusting for inflation, compared with a year earlier.

Including bonuses, average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain were estimated to have increased by 3.2%, before adjusting for inflation, and by 1.3%, after adjusting for inflation, compared with a year earlier.