Britain’s workforce is BOOMING and we should be proud, says PHILIP HAMMOND

In total, over 1,000 people a day have found employment since 2010.

And a record number of people now have the security of a regular salary.

We can be proud of our record on jobs, and today brought more good news for people up and down the country.

We know that financial security is not just about being employed, it’s about knowing that your wages are increasing and your money will go further at the end of every month.

That’s why it is encouraging that the data showed that wages continue to grow, and with inflation falling that will mean more money in your pocket.

We are already helping people to earn more and keep more of what they earn.

The lowest-paid workers have seen their pay rise by £2,000 a year since 2016 – that’s 17 per cent – thanks to our National Living Wage.

And we are helping your earnings go further by cutting income taxes, saving a typical basic-rate taxpayer £1,075, and freezing fuel duty for the eighth year running, saving the average driver £850.

Our focus is on ensuring that living standards keep rising for everyone.

That means investing in our people, so that everyone has the skills they need to seize the opportunities ahead.

And with our modern industrial strategy and the highest level of public investment for 40 years we are creating the conditions for a thriving, competitive economy.

This is our balanced approach: getting debt down, supporting our public services and investing in the future, while keeping taxes low.

With more people than ever in work, inflation falling, and wages due to keep rising, more people will feel the benefit in their pay packets.

What we have achieved together is a credit to the hard-working people of this country and something we can all be proud of.