Today (14 December) the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published the latest employment data.
Commenting on the new data, Alistair McQueen, savings and retirement manager at Aviva said:
“Today’s employment figures break new records and powerfully show how the shape of Britain’s workforce is changing. There are more older workers and female employees than ever before. Employers need to celebrate this diversity and make the most of all the talents.
“The number of workers aged 50 and over hit a new high, reaching 9.9 million. Of these, 1.2 million are aged 65 and over. This is another record high and more than double the 600,000 reported just a decade ago in 2006.
“The number of women in employment has also reached a new record of 14.9 million. Women now represent almost half (47%) of the employment workforce. This is up from around a third (37%) when records began in 1971. In fact, if the trend of more women in employment was to continue, women are set to outnumber men by 2026. This change has been significantly driven by the decline in women retiring before the age of 65 – down from a high of 1.1 million in 2011 to a new low of 706,000 today.
“Diversity in the workplace is to be celebrated. The business network ‘Business in the Community’ recently estimated that 7 million young workers will enter the employment market between now and 20221. This comes at the same time as 12 million are set to leave. Britain needs to make the most of all its talents if it is to thrive.”
Ends
If you are a journalist and would like further information, please contact:
Aviva Press Office: Fiona Whytock: 07800 692 299 or fiona.whytock@aviva.co.uk
Aviva’s retirement spokesperson, Alistair McQueen, is available for comment/interview
1 Business in the Community, The Missing Million – see here
Notes to editors:
- Aviva provides life insurance, general insurance, health insurance and asset management to 33 million customers, across 16 markets worldwide
- In the UK we are the leading insurer serving one in every four households and have strong businesses in selected markets in Europe, Asia and Canada. Our shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and we are a member of the FTSE100 index.
- Aviva’s asset management business, Aviva Investors, provides asset management services to both Aviva and external clients, and currently manages over £289 billion in assets.
- Aviva helps people save for the future and manage the risks of everyday life; we paid out £30.7 billion in benefits and claims in 2015.
- By serving our customers well, we are building a business which is strong and sustainable, which our people are proud to work for, and which makes a positive contribution to society.
- The Aviva media centre at http://www.aviva.com/media/ includes company information, images, and a news release archive.
- For an introduction to what we do and how we do it, please click here http://www.aviva.com/about-us/aviva/
- For broadcast-standard video, please visit http://www.aviva.com/media/b-roll-library/
- Follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/avivaplc/
- Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/aviva-plc
- For the latest corporate films from around our business, subscribe to our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/aviva
- Aviva has a Globelynx system for broadcast interviews. Please contact the Press Officer noted above if you would like to make a booking.