Rise in full-time female workers boosts employment

A record number of women in full-time work has pushed the UK’s employment rate to a new high of 76.3%, the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show.

In the three months to November, 126,000 more women worked full-time compared to the previous quarter.

The increase is in part because of the change in women’s retirement age.

The record figure may reduce the likelihood that the Bank of England will cut interest rates next week.