Early estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate unemployment fell by 0.9% in April 2021 compared to the same period of the previous year, equivalent to 257,000 people.

The ONS report also recorded the fifth consecutive month in which the number of payroll employees has increased, but this number remains 772,000 below pre-pandemic levels.

The bulk of difference in payrolled employment has been in the hospitality sector, among those aged under 25 years, and those living in London.

The pandemic has seen a pattern of increasing unemployment and decreasing employment, so the latest ONS figures suggest signs of economic recovery.

The data was released alongside another ONS report showing that output per hour grew by 1% in January to March 2021 compared with the same period in 2020.

Darren Morgan, director of economic statistics at the ONS, explained the recovery, commenting: "With many businesses reopening, the recent recovery in job vacancies continued into April, especially in sectors such as hospitality and entertainment".

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