The latest labour market figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the employment rate in the UK (the proportion of people aged from 16 to 64 who were in work) for the period from January to March 2016 was 74.2%, the highest since comparable records began in 1971.

The employment rate has been generally increasing since early 2012. The figures also show that between the periods of October to December 2015 and January to March 2016, the number of people in work increased, the number of unemployed people was little changed, but the number of people not working and not seeking or available to work (economically inactive) fell.

 There were 31.58 million people in work, 44,000 more than for October to December 2015 and 409,000 more than for a year earlier.

The unemployment rate was 5.1%, unchanged compared with October to December 2015 but lower than for a year earlier (5.6%). The figures also show that there were 1.69 million unemployed people (people not in work but seeking and available to work), little changed compared with October to December 2015 but 139,000 fewer than for a year earlier.

Figures also show that there were 23.12 million people working full-time, 328,000 more than for a year earlier and 8.46 million people working part-time, 81,000 more than for a year earlier.

There were 8.90 million people aged from 16 to 64 who were economically inactive (not working and not seeking or available to work), 20,000 fewer than for October to December 2015 and 116,000 fewer than for a year earlier.

Additionally, figures showed that average weekly earnings for employees in Great Britain increased by 2.0% including bonuses and by 2.1% excluding bonuses compared with a year earlier.

 “The jobs market isn’t in full bloom yet – but budding employment increases are positive sign, among a testing time for employers and jobseekers alike,” Doug Monro, co-founder of Adzuna, said.

“The effects of the National Living Wage are still being felt throughout the UK jobs market,” Monro said. “Many companies have had to adapt to offering higher wages, which may come at the expense of staff benefits. While this may cause some short-term discomfort, it should ultimately lead to happier employees in the long term. Those in work have also seen a boost in wages, which could be a sign of rising recognition of employee value.”

“June’s upcoming EU referendum could be bringing an element of the unknown into the jobs market,” Monro said. “Coupled with the impact of a higher wage bill, some employers may be feeling reluctant to invest in new staff. Instead, they’re waiting out until June to see the result. Jobseekers are feeling the impact – advertised salaries in March rose by just £15 month-on-month to reach £33,815 and fell 2% annually. But this plateau isn’t likely to last too long. With summer just around the corner, an influx of seasonal work and graduate jobs could improve prospects and help us move towards a flourishing employment market.”