Jobs recovery continues despite end of furlough

There were 160,000 more workers on payrolls in October than in September despite the end of the furlough scheme, official figures show.

Job vacancies also hit a fresh record high of 1.17 million in the three months to October as firms continued to struggle with worker shortages.

The UK economy is recovering from pandemic-era lows but inflation remains a concern.

The unemployment rate has fallen to 4.3%, near to its pre-pandemic level.

Sam Beckett, head of economic statistics at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said: "It might take a few months to see the full impact of furlough coming to an end, as people who lost their jobs at the end of September could still be receiving redundancy pay.

"However, October's early estimate shows the number of people on the payroll rose strongly on the month and stands well above its pre-pandemic level."

She added: "There is also no sign of an upturn in redundancies and businesses tell us that only a very small proportion of their previously furloughed staff have been laid off.

"In addition, vacancies again reached a new record high."