Public sector employment has risen across the NHS, education and administration but there is a mixed picture throughout the country, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics.

The data shows that employment in the NHS rose by 4.2% compared with Q1 2009, up 66,000 overall. NHS employment increased in all parts of the UK; however, it rose most in the East Midlands, where it was up by 7.3%, followed by the East of England at 7% and the West Midlands at 6.1%. NHS employment grew least in Scotland, at 1.2%, followed by the North-East at 1.3%.

 Public sector employment in education rose by 0.5% on 2009. The East of England saw an increase in employment of 6.6%, as did Wales (5.2%) and the East Midlands (3.2%). The North-West and the South- West saw a drop in employment of 3.6% and 3.2% respectively.

Meanwhile, public administration accounted for 20% of public sector employment in Q1 2010, up 0.4% (seasonally adjusted) on Q1 2009. The North-East witnessed an increase of 8.2% in the North-East, along with Yorkshire and the Humber (5%) but Wales and the West Midlands both witnessed decline in employment of 6.2% and 3.2%.