The number of workless households has fallen by more than 600,000 since 2010 according to new figures, the lowest in a decade.
The Office for National Statistics have released figures that show 372,000 fewer children are living in a household where no-one has a job, which is a 3.5 percent drop compared with 2010.
The number of households where no one has ever worked is down by 30,000 and 633,000 more households have at least one working adult. Overall, workless households in both the private and rented sector have fallen by 272,000.
Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said:
“The primary aim of our welfare reforms has been to support everyone who is able to work into jobs. To give people the skills as well as the opportunities to be part of the economic recovery. And we’ve seen remarkable success – with an average of 1,000 more people in work for every single day that this government has been in power. In total, 1.9 million more people with the self-esteem and financial security that a job brings.”
Secretary Smith adds:
“Today’s figures reveal that the number of workless households has fallen by over 600,000 under this government. Most significantly, there are 272,000 fewer households living in social housing without work – and the proportion in social housing where someone does now work, with a breadwinner and a role model, is the highest since records began.”
The employment rate for single parents is the highest it has been for 10 years, with an increase of 7.3 percent since 2010 to 63.5 percent. This means over 150,000 more single parents are in work.
These statistics follow on from last week’s figures which showed record private sector employment, record vacancies and a new record employment rate.
2.3 million more people are in private sector jobs since 2010 and an average of 1,000 more people have been in work every day over the same period. There are also around 735,000 vacancies available in the economy at any one time.
Secretary continues:
“Behind these figures are countless stories of hard work and determination. By sticking to our long-term economic plan our welfare reforms are transforming the lives of some of the poorest families in our communities.”
The government’s welfare reforms are improving fairness to the benefit system, including the benefit cap, the New Enterprise Allowance Scheme and the Work Programme and are encouraging people into work if they are able to work.
Amie Filcher is an editorial assistant at HRreview.