Britain’s unemployment rate hasn’t been lower since the mid-1970s, as official figures released by the Office for

National Statistics show it’s fallen to 4.0%, with 1.15 million fewer unemployed people since 2010.

The UK saw a sixth continuous month of real-terms pay increases, with regular wages up by 2.9% in July, or 0.5% against CPIH inflation.

Meanwhile the employment rate remains high, at 75.5%, with over 3.3 million more people in work since 2010 and youth unemployment at a record low, falling by over 45% since 2010.

1.45 million more children living in a home with all adults in work, and the proportion of children living in a household with no working adults has fallen by 33% in the UK since 2010, reaching a record low and taking tens of thousands of children out of poverty.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Esther McVey, said:

“Since 2010 we have delivered significant growth in jobs, and in the last six months we’ve seen real terms wage growth.

“We haven’t had a lower unemployment rate for over forty years and I’m especially proud that youth unemployment is at a record low, falling by over 45% since 2010 – opening up career opportunities for our next generation.

“In the EU we see unemployment rates over double those of the U.K. This Government is transforming  this country into a great working nation. Ready and prepared for the future challenges after Brexit.”