The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has released the UK unemployment figures today, showing a healthy reduction of 102,000 in the number of people out of work.

The overall unemployed rate is now 5 %, being 1.86 million, which is the lowest level seen since October 2005.

There are now just over 31.5 million people in work in the UK, just short of half a million more workers than a year ago. The full time employee count is 23 million with 8.5 million having some kind of part time employment.

Currently the percentage of the available UK workforce - in work, stands at 74.2%, the joint highest figure since 1971.

Small matter of an EU Stay or go referendum in a week and a bit may have a substantial impact on these numbers longer term of course.