New data released today shows the number of people in work has dropped. The number of people unemployed in the UK rose by 138,000 in the three months to April amid growing signs of a weaker jobs market and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%.

Rosalind Gill, Head of Policy and Engagement at the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB), “Today’s newly released labour market statistics paints a very worrying picture and hammers home the uphill battle that the new Government will face. New data reveals that 3.2 million people are out of work but want a job, and that the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%.”

Gill concluded: “As the new government takes office, it’s vital that they implement a cohesive plan that involves educational institutions, businesses, and policymakers to equip our workforce with the skills needed for today’s economy. As technology quickly advances, the labour market is transforming at pace and the skills gaps will only become more acute. Failure to address these issues now risks further economic stagnation and missed opportunities for growth.”

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