A Stabilisation: The UK Unemployment Rate Holds Steady

The latest employment figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) have revealed that the UK unemployment rate has held steady at 7.2%. What do these figures indicate about the business sales industry and how might they effect it going forward?

According to the national statistics agency, the national unemployment rate has slipped even further, falling to 7.2% from 7.4% a few months ago. This means that the rate has generally held steady with some decreases since the ONS last discussed unemployment figures.

Specifically, the number of those in this country who are now in full time employment rose to 30.19 million; this is a record total for national employment figures. The unemployment rate fell by roughly 63,000 and now stands at 2.33 million people in the UK.

This isn’t the only good news for the UK economy coming from the ONS this week, as the agency revealed that there has been a rise in average earnings. Pay in the three months up to January 2014 was up, on average by 1.4% from the same time the previous year.

When honing in on one of the country’s major employment issues, young people, there was also good news this week from the ONS. The agency revealed that the number of unemployed people between the ages of 16 and 24 measured 912,000 in the quarter to January; this is a fall of 29,000 and brings the total number to the lowest recorded since January 2011.

The BBC reported Employment Minister Esther McVey talking on what these figures mean. McVey pointed out that "the growing economy is helping record numbers of people to find a job".

McVey went on to elaborate, saying that: "The rise in employment is being fuelled by businesses and entrepreneurs across the country who are feeling increasingly confident with the improving economy." Furthermore, these figures will inspire further confidence in the economy from business leaders, which will lower unemployment even further; it’s cyclical.

As far as the business sales industry goes, RTABusiness sees several relevant points from these figures. First, they act as an indicator of how strong the business sector is right now; they are further proof that it is a good time to sell your business as buyers are looking to expand.

They also illustrate the fact that unemployment is proving less of a drain on the national economy; which will in turn benefit businesses and give them another reason to expand and gives those looking to sell more resources to utilise to make their business more attractive to potential buyers. It’s a good time for the business acquisition industry.