The UK’s female workforce is on the rise and its prospects improving, according to the latest labour market figures published by the Office for National Statistics [ONS].
The number of working women has risen more than two million since 2010 to reach 15.7 million, while more women are progressing into senior and higher-skilled roles.
In the same timeframe, the number of women becoming managers, directors or senior officials has risen by 25 per cent, equating to almost 250,000 women entering senior roles. Women in professional occupations is also up 40 per cent since 2010 and almost 40 per cent more have moved into associate professional and technical jobs in fields such as science, technology, engineering and maths.
7.7 per cent more women in the 16-to-24 age range are moving into employment compared with 12 years ago, making up one of the fastest growing demographics.
Meanwhile, separate data published by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development [OECD] has shown that the UK has the second-highest female and youth employment rate in the G7.
Julie Marson, minister for work and pensions, hailed the numbers, saying: “It’s fantastic news that today we’ve got two million more women in work than in 2010, and the latest OECD data shows we have the second highest level of women in work in the G7.
“As we grow the economy, it’s vital we make sure everyone can find a job that’s right for them – and importantly that they can progress in work.
“That’s why we’re keeping up our support to get people at any age or career stage into work, including a new multi-million-pound offer to help the over 50s get into, and remain in employment.”
To help working mothers, the government recently announced a new childcare support package, enabling parents to take up further support through Universal Credit and claim back 85 per cent of childcare costs worth up to £1,108 per month.
The Department for Work & Pensions [DWP] confirmed that it is investing £22 million more into its 50PLUS Champions support measure for job centres in a recent announcement, enabling more over 50s jobseekers to access one-to-one support.
The DWP has also received the recent boost of its Way to Work jobs initiative reaching its target of helping half a million people benefit claimants find work within five months.
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