"This article briefly considers a few of the changes in the labour market in the last 20 years and how these adjustments relate to the economy in the UK. It acknowledges that, during 2008, the timing of movements in output indicators and labour market statistics differed. To explore this, the economic background to 2008 is discussed, by presenting aggregate economic indicators for a selection of international trade partners and looking at other statistics produced by the Office for National Statistics. Finally, the developments in commodity prices and government policy over the last year are recognised. "

Support: Paper