The number of adults without a job in the UK has fallen for the 18th consecutive quarter, with unemployment dropping 115,000 to 1.96 million between July and September.

New figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) provide further fuel for the government’s claim that a full economic recovery is underway, although opposition MPs point to low wage inflation and a “cost of living crisis”.

According to the ONS, wages excluding bonuses increased 1.3% in the 12 months to September, just ahead of consumer price inflation currently running at 1.2%. It is the first time in five years that wages have outstripped inflation on an annual basis.

Employment minister Esther McVey said employment levels are now at 73%, the same as pre-recession levels and that 2 million private sector jobs have been created since 2010.

She added that businesses were creating the right kind of jobs, with more full-time positions being filled and more young people and women in employment.

“With the vast majority of the rise in employment over the last year being full-time, it’s clear that thanks to the government’s long-term economic plan, we are helping businesses to create the jobs that people need.

“More young people are getting their foot on the career ladder and we’ve seen record falls in female unemployment, so as the economy continues to grow, more and more people are having their lives transformed by moving into work.”

Separately, job website Indeed, released figures predicting a large increase in part-time hiring within the retail sector leading up to Christmas.

Amazon and Royal Mail alone will recruit 22,000 extra people during the period, it said. It added that there are currently 158,755 retail job vacancies live on the site, more than any other sector.