<p><br /> The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says while the UK jobless rate is down the number of part time workers has reached record levels.<br /> </p><p><br /> According to the lates official figures the number of job seekers fell by 34,000 in the three months to May - that's 2.7 million unemployed.<br /> </p><p><br /> But while it shows that less people are out of work many are struggling to find employers who can offer full-time hours in the recession.<br /> </p><p><br /> The ONS says the number of part-time workers has reached it highest levels since records began in 1992 with a 148,000 rise.<br /> </p><p><br /> The figures did show the biggest quarterly rise in employment since August 2006, but this has been put down to the rise in part-time employees, casting a shadow over hopes that the jobs market is recovering.<br /> </p><p><br /> There was a fifth consecutive fall in those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in June but figures could rise with up to 600,000 public sector jobs predicted to be lost over the next five years.<br /> </p><p><br /> Job seekers looking for work saw the biggest rise of vacancies in retailing and motor repairs in the three months to June with a sharp rise in job offers.<br /> </p><p><br /> Figures also showed people who fall into the "long term sick" category reached it's highest level since March 2007, hitting 2.04 million.<br /> </p>
