Employment, Changes over 30 years

Abstract

Employment occurs when a contract is in place between an employer and an employee. Over the last 30 years, many changes have occurred in employment patterns within the UK. These include the changing structure of the population, growth in women working, growth in service industries and decline in manufacturing industries and changing employee and consumer demands. This article presents employment levels and rates, using Labour Force Survey data. It compares the employment rate of people by sex, age, ethnicity, disability, county of birth and qualifications held. It also considers the employment patterns in the public sector.