• In the three months to June 2016, employment rose by 172,000 and unemployment fell by 52,000
• The unemployment rate was 4.9%, down from 5.6% a year ago
• The claimant count in July 2016 fell by 8,600 compared with June 2016

Commenting on the labour market figures for July 2016, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“The UK jobs market continued to strengthen in the run-up to the EU referendum vote, with firms continuing to recruit despite a softening economic picture.

“Labour market indicators tend to lag behind the wider economy, so it is likely to be some time before the full post-referendum employment picture emerges.

“However, more needs to be done to boost business confidence, so that firms can continue to grow and recruit. This includes careful consideration on how initiatives such as the apprenticeship levy and national living wage are implemented.”