A RECORD number of people in Wales are in employment, according to new figures.

The latest labour market statistics show that more than 1.5 million people in Wales are in work.

Estimates from the survey show that the employment rate for Wales matches that of the UK (both 75.8 per cent) for the first time since records began in 1992.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said he was pleased with the latest set of figures.

“Yet again Wales has produced a superb set of employment figures, setting a brand new record of over 1.5 million people in work," he added.

“This is testament to the work the UK Government to create an environment to attract inward investment, grow businesses and provide sustainable employment.

“Our ambition is to see every part of the UK thriving, and it is encouraging to see the Welsh employment rate matching that of the UK for the first time since records began.

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“These figures demonstrate an upward trend of ambition in the Welsh economy which I hope continues over the months and years ahead.”

The survey showed that the number of women in work in Wales has increased by 75,000 since 2010, and is now at a record high level of 709,000 and record high rate of 71.5 per cent.

The level of unemployment has almost halved, falling by 63,000 since 2010 to 62,000.

Economy Minister Ken Skates welcomed the latest Labour Market statistics, saying that they are “testament to a great deal of hard work” put in by the Welsh Government.

He said: “I welcome these figures which show that employment in Wales now stands at a record high of 75.8 per cent. Meanwhile at 3.9 per cent, unemployment in Wales is at a near historic low and below the UK rate, our employment rate is 3.1 percentage points up on the year and economic inactivity has fallen by 2.6 percentage points.

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“These figures are again testament to a great deal of hard work by the Welsh Government to support job creation and economic growth during what are challenging and unprecedented times.

“Already this year Welsh Government support has resulted in Digital bank, Monzo locating to Cardiff with the creation of 300 jobs, and global technology company Thales working with us to create a £20m cyber centre in Blaenau Gwent that will help Wales to exploit the global opportunities of digital transformation.

“With Brexit looming closer than ever, we continue to call on the UK Government to take No Deal off the table and work to secure a Brexit that protects Welsh jobs and our economy.”