THE number of people in a job rose 280,000 in the last three months – the largest quarterly increase since records began - according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics.

There are now a record-breaking 30.15 million people in work – an increase of 1.3 million since 2010.

• In the North West, private sector employment is up by 49,000 since 2010 and up 2,000 in the past year (Q3 2013).

• Over the past year, the number of people starting new apprenticeships in the North West has increased by 13.5% to over 89,000 (2011/12).

• 34,500 people left JSA this month in the North West, we would expect 2/3 to go into work.

• From June 2011 to September 2013, 27,910 people moved from long term unemployment into lasting work, whilst on the Work programme.

There were 190,390 referrals and 184,600 attachments during this time period.

Employment Minister Esther McVey said: “Creating jobs and getting people into employment are central to our economic plan to build a stronger, more competitive economy, so it is very encouraging news that we’ve seen a record-breaking rise in employment over the last three months – the largest ever.

“With the highest quarterly fall in unemployment since 1997, it’s clear that the Government’s long-term economic plan to get people off benefits and into work so they can secure their future is proving successful.”