The Labour Force Survey suggests that between November 2016 to February 2017, there were more people in work, the number of unemployed people fell and the number of people aged between 16 and 64 not working and not seeking or available to work also fell.
31.84 million people were in work, which is 39,000 more than in September to November 2016 and 312,000 more than the previous year.
The employment rate was 74.6% which is the joint highest since comparable record began in 1971.
There were 1.56 million unemployed people which was 45,000 less than September to November 2016 and 141,000 less that the previous year.
The unemployment rate was down 0.4% from the previous year to 4.7%, which is the lowest it has been since June to August 1975. This unemployment rate relates to the proportion of the labour force that were unemployed.
There were 8.8million people aged from 16 to 64 who were economically inactive (not working and not seeking or available to work) 10,000 less than September to November 2016 and 36,000 less than a year earlier.
Recruitment & Employment Confederation chief executive, Kevin Green, said, "The labour market is moving in a positive direction, with employment at a record high and unemployment still falling. Our monthly jobs report shows placements via recruiters are increasing and demand for staff is at an 18 month peak, so it's likely employment numbers will continue to creep up.
"However, wage growth is slowing as inflation is rising, meaning people are feeling the pinch as their take home pay doesn't stretch as far. Our data shows employers are increasing starting salary offers to compete for the limited talent available. People will be tempted to move jobs as a way of increasing income, especially if pay in their current role remains static. As demand for staff increases yet supply of candidates deteriorates, employers need to reward their staff so they retain them.
"It's already really tough to find candidates and skills shortages have been intensifying. Sectors across the economy, from healthcare to food manufacturing, are reliant on EU workers. They're getting increasingly worried about how they'll cope if recruiting from abroad becomes even harder post-Brexit."
