The number of people employed within the North East is at a record high.
Between November 2015 to January 2016, 70.6 per cent of people over the age of 16 were employed.
And now there are 33,000 more people in work than from the last period, with 23,000 more people in work during the last year.
Employment Minister Priti Patel said: “This is another strong set of figures showing private sector employment at the highest since records began, wages rising and a near record number of job vacancies available in the UK economy.
“This strength is a real credit to hard-working people and businesses alike.
“There’s really good news for the North East too, where the employment rate is at a new record high of 70.6 per cent and over 70,000 more people in work than in 2010.
“With unemployment now standing at 5.1 per cent – half the Eurozone average – it’s clear that we are delivering on our promise to support people to get on in life, and create greater economic security for all.”
However, there is still a large number of people unemployed in the area – in the 2 month period, 102,000 people (7.8 per cent) were unemployed within in the North East.
There has been a fall in the number of people unemployed, with a decrease 11,000 from the last period.
But, in February 2015, the number of people claiming job seekers allowance (JSA) rose by 800, putting the claimant count at 47,100.
Meanwhile, in the UK as a whole, the employment rate stands at 74.1 per cent, the highest since comparable records began in 1971.
Private sector employment is the highest on record at 26.1 million.
The unemployment rate still stands at 5.1 per cent, the lowest in a decade, and the number of people claiming unemployment benefits has fallen to its lowest level since 1975.
Today’s statistics are released as the nation marks National Apprenticeship Week. This is a week-long celebration of apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on people, businesses and the wider economy.
The Government has committed to creating three million more apprenticeships by 2020.