Employment levels in Wales have climbed above the UK average for the first time since 1992, new government figures say.

The employment rate for Wales is 76.2%, above the UK rate of 75.8% for the first time since records began in 1992, according to new figures released by the UK Government this afternoon.

Employment is at 1.531m, up 32,000 in Wales over the quarter and up 87,000 in Wales compared to a year ago, which is the largest 12 month increase of any part of the UK.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said the figures represented an 'upward trend' in the Welsh economy.

"The Welsh employment rate is now higher than the UK average for the first time since records began in 1992. With 87,000 more people in work compared to a year ago, there are now over 1.5 million people in work across Wales, with the employment rate at a record high of 76.2%.

"With companies across Wales creating more jobs, Wales is once again proving itself to be a country that enables the private sector to thrive.

"It is encouraging to see that the UK Government’s efforts to get more people in to work are making significant progress, with 12,000 fewer people unemployed compared to a year ago. As a government, we will continue our work to stimulate job growth and encourage more people into the workplace, ensuring that this upward trend continues."

According to the statistics, UK weekly average earnings went up by 3.4% to £494.50 in the year to December - after adjusting for inflation, which is the highest level since March 2011.