The UK unemployment rate has fallen to 4.7%, new figures have shown.
Between February and April the unemployment rates in the UK fell and employment rose for the sixth consecutive month.
The number of payrolled employees rose by 197,000 in May to 28.5m.
James Reed, chairman of employment agency Reed, commented: “The latest ONS employment figures do not begin to describe the ‘jobs boom’ that is now underway in the UK.”
“However, the recovery could be curtailed if staff shortages are not addressed urgently.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said on the figures: “Our Plan for Jobs is working – the latest forecasts for unemployment are around half of what was previously feared and the number of employees on payroll is at its highest level since April last year.”
“The furlough scheme is running all the way through until September and we are creating new routes into work through apprenticeships, Kickstart placements for young people as well as targeted support for the long term unemployed.”