UK unemployment figures improved in the three months to April, but there are still record numbers in work beyond retirement age, as the pensions crisis keeps people in the workplace for longer.
Data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows that the number of people in employment rose by 24,000, to 29.76 million, while the number of people out of work has fallen by 5,000, to 2.51 million.
Unemployment fell by 6,000 in Scotland and by 5,000 in Northern Island, while it rose by 6,000 in England.
Other ONS figures show that government cutbacks are impacting public sector employment, which fell by 22,000 in Q1 to its lowest level since 2001.
The private sector is taking the strain at the moment, though an increase in self-employment is the biggest contributor to job growth.
The official unemployment rate remained unmoved, at 7.8%, while a sharp drop of 8,600 in Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants in May took the total to 1.51 million.
Wages were up 1.3% on the same three-month period in 2012, with bonus payments delayed until April to take advantage of the fall in the top tax rate, from 50% to 45%.
But this still falls considerably below standard inflation, which measured at 2.4% for April.
Pensioners in Work
The figures also revealed that the number still in work beyond the age of 65 has reached a record 1 million, as the severe shortfall in retirement plans forces ever greater numbers to stay in work.
Almost one in ten pensioners have stayed in employment, with 615,000 men and 388,000 remaining in the workforce – an increase of around 12% in the last year and almost double the number from ten years ago.
The increase is being attributed to a growing life expectancy and the depreciation of annuity rates.
The Bank of England's 'Quantitative Easing' programme means that male retirees need almost 30% more in savings to generate the same retirement income that they would have accrued four years ago.
Keith McDonald
Which4U Editor
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