The number of workless households falls AGAIN

  • ONS data revealed a drop of 89,000 in the number of workless households 
  • The statistics show in almost 60 per cent of households all adults are in work 
  • The number of lone parent working households is also at a record high  

The number of workless households has fallen again in the past year, new statistics out today revealed. 

The Office for National Statistic said three million households – fewer than 15 per cent of all of them – were now without at least one worker.

The number of workless households is down 89,000 or 0.4 per on a year ago.

Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke (file image in Downing Street) hailed the figures, saying fewer than 15 per cent of households are now classed as workless

At the same time, the number of lone parents in work has increased to a record level, new figures have revealed.

Around 68 per cent of lone parents are working, an increase of 1.5 per cent over the past year.

The number of households where everyone over the age of 16 is in employment has increased by 166,000 to 11.9 million – almost 58 per cent of the total.

The Government hailed the figures, saying fewer than 15 per cent of households are now classed as workless.

The number of households where everyone over the age of 16 is in employment has increased by 166,000 to 11.9 million - almost 58 per cent of the total (file image) 

The number of households where everyone over the age of 16 is in employment has increased by 166,000 to 11.9 million – almost 58 per cent of the total (file image) 

Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke said: ‘With record levels of employment, more people across the country now have the ability to support themselves and their families.

‘That means more children growing up with a working adult and more children who can see first-hand the benefits of being in employment.

‘What’s particularly great news is that lone parents are more likely to be in work than ever before, and we’re going further by making sure parents have access to the right support, including more free childcare from September.’

Shadow employment minister Margaret Greenwood said: ‘While any increases in employment are positive, under this Government work is no longer a reliable route out of poverty with over half of those living in poverty coming from a working household.

‘There are four million children growing up in poverty in the UK. Two thirds of these children live in working households.’ 

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