The number of people in employment has risen to an all-time high of 29.03 million, according to official figures released by the government in January.

The Office for National Statistics said the number of people claiming benefits fell by 5,500 – the third monthly fall in a row – whilst the ILO measure also reported a drop in the number of people out of work but not claiming benefit of 29,000 since November.

Changes in the kinds of jobs people are undertaking was also evident, with service industry jobs at a record high of 25 million whilst manufacturing jobs fell to an all-time low of just 3.3 million.

Analysts report that immigration has played a significant role in increasing the labour force and strengthening the economy as a result.