Benefits data also reveals that the number of people on incapacity benefits has fallen by 54,000 in the year to May and is now below 2.7 million for the first time in six years. The number on lone parent benefits is down 14,000 on the year to 774,000.

Welcoming the figures, Jim Murphy, Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform, said: "Employment is up by nearly 200,000 on the year, and with a strong economy and over 600,000 vacancies there is room for more".

Read the press release on the DWP website.