Figures show proof of ailing jobs market

TENS of thousands of jobs have disappeared across Britain, new official figures reveal, while pay growth has also decelerated in further evidence of a faltering employment market.

- MAURICIO ALENCAR

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that payroll employee numbers declined by 33,000 in November, with provisional December estimates indicating a further reduction of 43,000 positions.

The latest statistics underscore the difficulties facing workers throughout the UK economy, with multiple business surveys forecasting continued job losses in the months ahead.

"The number of employees on payroll has fallen again, with reductions over the last year concentrated in retail and hospitality, and reflecting ongoing weak hiring activity," said Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the ONS. The unemployment rate remained steady at 5.1%, level with the preceding month.