Early estimates for June 2021 indicate that there was another monthly increase in the number of payrolled employees, up 356,000 to 28.9 million. However, it remains 206,000 below pre-pandemic levels.

For the first time since the beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some regions are now above pre-coronavirus (February 2020) levels. These include Northern Ireland and the North East, North West and East Midlands in England.

Following a period of employment growth and low unemployment, since the start of the pandemic, employment has generally been decreasing and unemployment increasing.

However, since the end of 2020 they have shown signs of recovery. The latest estimates for March to May 2021, from our Labour Force Survey, continue to show signs of recovery, with a quarterly increase in the employment rate.

March to May 2021 estimates show a quarterly decrease in the unemployment rate, while the employment rate and the economic inactivity rate increased

With the relaxation of many coronavirus restrictions, total hours worked increased on the quarter, however it’s still below pre-pandemic levels. The redundancy rate decreased on the quarter and has returned to pre-pandemic levels.

The number of job vacancies in April to June 2021 was 862,000, 77,500 above its pre-pandemic level in January to March 2020. All but one industry saw quarterly increases in their number of vacancies.