National Statistics Online, GDP and the Labour Market – Q1 2008 – Q 3 2010: “Between quarter four 2009 to quarter four 2010, total employment rose by 0.8 per cent (383,000). The most recent quarter, however, saw total employment fall by 0.2 per cent (68,000) compared to the previous three months. This may reflect changing situations for individuals within the labour market. The number of self-employed individuals stood at 3.98 million in quarter four 2010, down 49,000 on the previous quarter. However, self-employment is still 2.4 per cent (92,000) higher than the same time last year. Also, comparing quarter four 2010 with quarter four 2009:

• Full-time employment fell by less than 0.1 per cent (5,000)
• Part-time employment grew by 2.9 per cent (224,000), and
  and Self-employment grew by 2.4 per cent (92,000)

• Employees grew by 0.4 per cent (110,000)
• Over the six quarters of economic contraction from quarter one 2008, total employment fell by 600,000. In the 1980s recession, the final quarter of economic contraction saw employment levels 619,000 lower than pre-recession level. At the end of the 1990s recession, employment was 910,000 lower than it was prior to the recession.”