Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
In the three months after the coronavirus pandemic hit the UK, around 6 per cent of the working population changed occupations, new figures reveal.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said 6.1 per cent of workers switched to a new occupation in the period from April to June, against the previous quarter.
The proportion of people changing occupations was slightly ahead of the same period last year, when 5.7 per cent of people changed roles.
Most of the switches were due to industries changing after the pandemic made its impact felt, as large parts of the economy shut down temporarily.
The ONS said in its report that the “limited” rise in occupational changes is “likely to reflect the effect of the government’s job retention schemes”.
“Occupational switching might therefore become more prevalent as employment support unwinds,” it added.
“As the picture continues to develop, it will be possible to further understand how occupational movements have affected the labour market.”
The new figures revealed that 52.5 per cent of workers who changed occupations also went into completely different sectors from their main industry.
Associate professional and technical roles, including many scientific, teaching and administrative jobs, saw the biggest increase, with 21.2 per cent of people who changed occupations moving into this area.
More than half (52.6 per cent) of those who changed occupations were men. Of them, 26.9 per cent were aged between 35 to 49 years, and 26.9 per cent were aged 50 to 64 years.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments