The rate of UK unemployment rose to 3.9% in the three months to March from 3.8% in the previous three months, the Office for National Statistics said.
Darren Morgan, director of economic statistics at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said: “Employment and unemployment both rose again in the first three months of 2023, driven in particular by men.
“This means the number of those neither working nor looking for work continues to fall, although the number of people not working due to long-term sickness rose again, to a new record.
“However, the number of people on employers’ payrolls fell in April for the first time in over two years, though this is an early estimate that could be revised later.
“Despite continued growth in pay, people’s average earnings are still being outstripped by rising prices.
“The number of days lost to strikes rose again in March, with education and health making up four-fifths of the total this month.”
Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman MP said: “We’re continuing to see progress in the labour market as we take action across government to grow the economy. Employment is up; economic inactivity is down; and vacancies have fallen in successive quarters.
“As well as helping deliver on our priority to grow the economy, we know that being in work remains the best way for people to get on in life. That’s why I’m focused on matching jobseekers with roles, and businesses with a resilient and skilled workforce. Through partnerships with local employers, we have thousands of placements in sectors such as banking and engineering, helping people to achieve new qualifications and build rewarding careers."
