The latest official figures have revealed a continuing downward trend in unemployment, with the number of people out of work now at 1.83 million, down 35,000 from the previous quarter. This continues the general trend first seen in late 2011.

There were 31.10 million people in work, 202,000 more than for October to December 2014 and 564,000 more than a year earlier.

The proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 in work (the employment rate) was 73.5%, the highest since comparable records began in 1971.