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<p>The latest data indicates that the working age inactivity rate in the three months
to August was 21.7%, up 0.6 percentage points on the previous three months and up
0.5 percentage points on the year. The headline employment rate for the three months
to August was 75.5%, up 0.3 percentage points on the year. Demand for labour remains
strong, with vacancies near record highs and significantly above pre-pandemic levels
in the third quarter of 2022 (+51%). The latest data indicates that that the unemployment
rate fell to 3.5% in the three months to August, the lowest rate since 1974<em>.</em></p><p>
</p><p>Our Plan for Patients, which the Department of Health and Social Care introduced
in Parliament on 22 September, sets out our immediate priorities to support individuals
to live healthier lives and to strengthen the resilience and health of the nation.
This includes moving prevention services closer to the patient, expanding mental health
support in schools and increasing support for people to start, stay and succeed in
employment. Alongside this, the Department of Health and Social Care is currently
reviewing all of its wider priorities with a focus on improving the health of the
population across the breadth of the country.</p>
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