Recent reports suggest the UK economy is growing as 2013 continues. Unemployment levels have dropped by 4000, leaving 2.5 million people out of work. The number of people claiming Jobseekers benefit has also dropped, adding to the positive outlook for the UK.

The number of people in employment has risen, and has reached its highest level since 1971. Across the UK, over 300,000 more people are in jobs, when analysing statistics from the previous year. Much of this increase is as a result of non-UK nationals taking on jobs in the UK.

The UK job market is expanding, but those needing employment is growing at an equal rate. Although the economy is improving, it will take a little while for the unemployment levels to go down; during this time anything could happen, and as a nation we are still not economical stable. On the surface, job statistics generally appear positive, but look a little deeper and many are still struggling with the lack of jobs and pay cuts across businesses.

Unemployment levels for those aged 16-24 have risen, and equally the number of people without a job for over 2 years has also increased. Despite previous pay cuts, wages have actually slightly risen over this past year, but not by a huge percentage.

Reports suggest the biggest problems lie with those who are out of work for long periods, and with youth unemployment. Despite this, it is suggested that things for the UK economy are looking up, and on the whole reports reveal generally positive news. However, some argue that in reality the statistics aren’t highlighting the real truth; although unemployment levels are on the decrease, many people actually have to work part- time hours. For these individuals, life is becoming more of a struggle and not actually getting an easier. More and more people are forced into part-time work, because there simply aren’t enough full time jobs to meet the demands of the local community.

Despite an initial positive outlook towards the UK’s economic climate, we only have to dig a little deeper below the surface to reveal the true state, and to highlight some serious underlying problems that we are facing as a nation.